The Westerly

I so wanted to love this restaurant because I'd heard such good things about it but came away disappointed. The food is ok enough - I like the fact that the meat comes from the local butcher (who's about 20 yards down the road) and the veg is locally sourced - but it wasn't anything I didn't think I could cook as well, if not better, myself at home, and while the service generally was brilliant, lovely and friendly, the way they dealt with a particular problem with my dessert (see below) means I'm unlikely to return.

So, on the plus side, my starter of home-cured sardines was wonderful. My duck main course was very good but I've had to deduct one star from the rating because the roast magret showed signs of not having been rested quite enough. Another five minutes or so of resting the meat might have helped to lose the slight chewiness present. For the price (about £17, I think), I expect better. The duck confit was well cooked, though.

I've deducted another star because of the shard of hard plastic I found in my cherry sorbet. Now, I realise that sometimes these things happen in the kitchen, so I didn't go nuts about it. However, I kind of wish I had, because at no stage was there any offer of a discount off the bill or perhaps drinks on the house, as some recompense. My experience in other restaurants is that some reparation's been made voluntarily where a mistake has been made or there's been an accident, even for something as trivial as a spilt drink. At The Westerly, because I've been reasonable and non-shouty, I feel like they've thought, "No harm done. We'll just send the waitress over to apologise and that will do." Unfortunately, the harm done is that I'm now unlikely to return - not because I think I might choke on some foreign object in my dessert - but because I don't feel like they valued me properly as a paying customer.

I think part of the problem is that I went in with high expectations, so I hope that if you are going, this review helps to lower them to more reasonable levels. The Westerly's not going to wow anyone but if you want decent straightforward high-cost bistro fare, you'll probably be ok here.

My absolute favourite Reigate restaurant. Yummy seasonal bistro food, made from interesting cuts - think braised beef cheeks and pigs head terrine. Wine by the bottle, carafe or glass. Delicious hot cocktails (i.e. coffee/hot choc with booze in) to finish off your meal. The Bib Gourmand is well deserved.