81 Fulham Road
SW3 6RD
Tel: 020 7581 5817
The Victim: Boss
Date of Last Visit: Thursday, July 14, 2005. (Sorry, still catching up after all that salmon in Alaska!)
The Damage: Unknown
I needed a venue close to a couple of key locations. Firstly, a tube, as I was wearing pretty impossible heels. Secondly, a parking garage. Thirdly, a hotel. Also, I needed something business-like with good service and good food. And of course, if it was available via Toptable.co.uk, even better.
So Bibendum, it was. I still haven't gotten over my anger towards a different Conrad property--Le Pont de la Tour. A long story, but in May of 2004, they insisted they were fully booked and wouldn't seat us, but yet remained empty the entire evening--oh yes, we watched. My father isn't a Private Investigator for nothing. But I tried to not bias myself.
So we chanced a visit to another Conrad--but this time, with a booking. Bibendum was empty upstairs when we we were seated. But I was intrigued by the downstairs Oyster bar--looked like a nice place to while away a Saturday afternoon--and it was sufficiently packed. Also, the tile work was a nice touch. (After spending 10 days with Uncles George and Bob, I am very sensitive to good tile work.) As usual in English restaurants, I feel like a million different people waited on us, and the sommelier looked weird--kinda like a guy from Revenge of the Nerds--and he wasn't overly helpful. (Then again, Boss knew what he wanted.)
Perhaps getting ready for my sojurn in Alaska, I ordered the scallops to start and they were super-delicious; they were accompanied by risotto, which after my stay in Croatia, has me forever a fan. And the Bibendum stained glass was just so pretty...all in all, I was settling in very nicely. I went for the Breen for my main, with a side of spinach. The spinach was also super-delicious; I swear they laced it with anisette or something. Boss also enjoyed his food tremendously...if I remember correctly, it was the roasted chicken. After we left, he said it was one of the best meals he'd had in the UK...good stuff.
For dessert, I had the warm strawberries with iced lavender parfait and Champagne. The champagne was a pink champagne, and it was presented in a tall shot glass...lovely. The iced lavender was like nothing I've ever had before...it was creamy, but solid. I wish I knew what the ingredients were. Fantastic.
I used the Ladies' and remember that it was nice, but nothing to write home about.
The Verdict: A delightful experience with wonderful food and attentive (if not very personal) service. I'd go again. Definitely.
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