5th Floor Restaurant, Belgravia, London

Oh dear. Whatever has happened to Fifth Floor? The restaurant used to be one of THE places to meet in Knightsbridge. When we visited tonight, some sort of catastrophe must have happened in the kitchen because between the swiftly-served starter of mackerel and our main course, we waited for over three quarters of an hour. When our main finally did arrive after 2 late apologies (once we were told they’d be with us in 4 minutes, read 15 and the second time we were told 1 minute, read another 10)they were no longer hot. Warm would be a better description, besides which Monsieur’s mash was missing. By the time it arrived, we’d almost finished our mains, somewhat defeating the purpose of it turning up at all. Whatever our complaints, though, we couldn’t fault the taste. Everything was delicious, even if it had lost its cooking heat somewhere between the hotplate and the table.
We asked for the bill and requested that the dessert (which, apart from a brief mention at the start of the evening had not yet been offered or materialised) to be removed from the set menu price. In the end, they gave us our glasses of wine as recompense, but not before our waiter blamed everything on the girl who brought the bread and cleared the plates etc rather than admitting that he had quite simply forgotten us. By this point we’d been at the table for so long that we were numb with boredom and fatigue. We no longer wanted the dessert, but the now apologetic waiter pushed one onto us, regardless. Looking around, we weren’t the only victims of slow service and for once, I can safely say that it wasn’t through lack of manpower on the dining room floor. It’ll be a while before I try Fifth Floor again. Shame, really. They used to be quite the Ab Fab eatery.

Drawn by the Thanksgiving menu, which was delicious - although I’m not sure halibut is a staple for Turkey Day - I was disappointed by the bar - overheated, with roaring music and slow service (we waited ten minutes to pay the tab and then left for the restaurant, where it was added to the bill, which defeated the point of buying someone a drink).

Food was delicious; halibut fantastic, ballotines of turkey delicious, the potted brisket interesting (described by our waiter, bizarrely, as 'a bit like corned beef).

H.N is a premium store, and expect three courses for £24, with wine and a cocktail, to end up being £70 per head. So not a bargain. The location’s great, but the restaurant itself rather weird - the bright ovoid room reminiscent of a set from Blake’s Seven or Space 1999 - retro futuristic and a tad cold. Maybe a couple of soft furnishings might help; a kilim rug, perhaps a pink shagpile?

The fifth floor is posh, busy, casual, fancy, cool, contemporary, hip rolled into one. Try the Sunday Lunch Set menu which is fairly reasonably price, 2 courses £19.50 and 3 courses £24.50 including Bloody Mary or Harry’s bellini. The food and service is good and of high standard. It might be worth booking in advance as it gets quite busy with weekend shoppers. There is a lift at the ground floor which takes diners up to the restaurant, instead of having to go through the shopping areas. I would recommend this place to anyone who love good food and cocktails.

A fantastic place which is always buzzing with people.

Depending on the time of day you can have breakfast, afternoon tea (not to be missed) or lunch.

The afternoon tea is always really nice and the cake selection is lovely (keep an eye out for the dark chocolate tarte).

Hot meals are equally as nice with good portions and served piping hot and speedily from the very efficient staff.

Occassionally they host cinema afternoons/evenings which make for an interesting time.

Keep an eye out for the odd (d list) celeb ;0)