A holiday should start with a great hotel and relaxing dining experience. The Vivre within Sofitel Heathrow provided just that. Excellent service from Alina front of house and the waiter who engaged wonderfully with us. The food was fabulous starting with a selection fresh warm bread rolls, starters enjoyed prawn skewers and baked goats cheese. I had the pork with mustard mash my friends enjoyed chicken caeser salad and burgers. It was cool seeing all the chefs doing what they do best. Even more so being able to walk past them and give our appreciation for their efforts. Highly recommend.
Mike S
Service was good, warm greeting on arrival and friendly waiter but the food was ok at best. My rib of beef was little more than a slab of gelatinous fat with the occasional ribbon of meat. The veg was a little undercooked but tasted fresh, the dark jus was delicious.I complained about the beef, the unsympathetic waiter explained that rib of beef can be fatty but didn’t confirm that a ratio of 80% fat to 20% beef was an average expectation for this cut of meat. I had the answer but he wasn’t interested.To be fair my wife’s meal was excellent, succulent pork belly (virtually no waste), super veg and tasty jus.It would have been good if the waiter had referred my complaint to the kitchen rather than making a lame excuse and backing away from the table awkwardly.
S L
Oh dear - it’s like a Ramsay kitchen nightmare. My condolences if you have no other choice but to eat here like us. Unfortunately the other Belle restaurant was closed - it is much higher rated. On arrival, the front desk warned us the wait would be a while and suggested we eat at the bar instead which didn’t fill us with huge confidence. Water didn’t arrive for almost 20mins so we had to get a bottle ourselves. Drinks came at the end of the meal - one was out of stock and the other was the wrong size. Curry tasted like a microwave meal served alongside long dated packet naan bread. The fish and chips looked anaemic. Kids pizza was a thick naan bread with some cheese and sauce in middle. Of course they got the bill wrong - charging us for the missing drink and for a larger glass of wine when they only gave a small. I felt so ill I was sick when I got back to the hotel room. Sofitel Mgmt - this group are not fit to run a restaurant. The whole service, staff and menu need a total overhaul. What a shame since the hotel itself is nice. I skipped snacks and breakfast at the Club too.
Judy Okwuba
We enjoyed our food so much.. lovely atmosphere. Our waiter, Delwar, was very warm, welcoming, engaging and professional. Thank you for the experience ?
hannahpS8641YU
The experience was made so good by Bogdan. He was genuinely one of the best waiters we’ve ever met - so friendly and chatty, and extremely professional. The food was good and came quickly. Hope Bogdan is rewarded for doing such a great job!
Barney C
Sceptical after recent reviews, however very impressed , food lovely and service very attentive. Special thanks to our server, Bogdon who looked after us.
ChampionsLeague
We have dined here before and it has been ok. This occasion was spoiled by poor service and pretty bad management. Long waits to order and to pay. Food was passable. Pricing is ok. Choice of food is good. I hope it is back to better next time.
Pesh
Having stayed at many of the worlds Sofitel and dining in afew of their restaurants, this place ranks below average.It might have been the only one open tonight (Tuesday), but that’s no excuse to offer sub standard food at high end prices.We had the minestrone soup and was not serviced with any bread. When I asked, they said “we used to” but now it’s extra. We have never been anywhere that doesn’t offer bread with a soup dish.For mains, we opted for fish and chip + Caesar salad with chicken. I can’t believe they are serving food cooked from frozen. This is completely unacceptable.They clearly ride on the fact, they are the only option for hotel guest.Sofitel raise your game or lose your status as a 5* brand. This is the second visit to your hotels in 4 months and I am wondering if I will maintain my loyalty status.
Lisa Snow
Was here 2 1/2 years ago and the food was ok but the service was horrible. Recently decided to give them another shot. Service still the worst, food was again nothing special and 3 of the 4 of us felt horrible a few hours after eating. Both times here I have waited over 30 minutes after being seated and finally went and asked it we could at least get some water. Would not recommend. They obviously have not made any improvements.
fbglove
The best fish 'n chips on our whole six-week trip to England! Delicious butter chicken curry, also. But the service was slow. We sat around waiting quite awhile for menus, then waited for dessert, and then waited for the check.
Cristo, our waiter, made this meal excellent. I am gluten free - and this is a heavily gluten menu. But we found a salad and salmon combo that worked for me and was quite good. My husband had the fish and chips. He said the fish was okay, but the chips were excellent. He was craving a sticky toffee pudding - and the waiter said he could get it for him from the "other kitchen". It was among the best he's ever had. And Cristo identified a gluten free and dairy free dessert for me...a vegan pavlova which was so delicious. It made for a surprisingly nice meal experience. It's fun to watch the kitchen in action too. Go early for dinner (they opened at 5:30 PM) as it got very busy by 6 PM.
jennymT210UG
We had booked a table for 7.30 pm dinner and after waiting in line we’re shown to a table. The table next to us was very very loud and discussing business on a Saturday night. We could not hear each other above their din. After 30 minutes a waiter came to take our order and we asked for a quieter table. We were told to walk outside to the terrace. Essentially this is an area in the thoroughfare of the hotel (inside) behind a wooden low fence. After another 20 minutes I went to find a waiter who said he would come out to take our order. After another 10 minutes I went and found another server. The waiter I had seen before recognised me and hit his hand on his head and came out to us. The starter was delicious but we had to chase up the bottle of wine and never got our glasses of water. When the main course was delivered by a lady she said “Bon appetit” but we said we couldn’t eat without cutlery. She promised us some but we never saw her again. After 5 minutes my husband went and found cutlery because his fish and chips were getting cold. My shepherds pie was tasteless, lots of potato and a thin layer of lamb in a watery tasteless gravy. Nobody ever came back to check on us. They add a discretionary 12.5% tip for a service charge which I didn’t think they deserved so we took the bill to the desk and told the manager of our experience. He blames the management for trying to reduce staff and told us it was our own fault because we voted for Brexit. I pointed out to him I didn’t. He said it is like that every night. He removed the service charge and 20% off the food which was fair but next time I stay at the Sofitel I will bring a picnic and save a pot of money and disappointment.
OxfordSara19
Surprisingly lovely meal at Vivre. I say surprising because it’s nearly airside , there is a more expensive option within the Sofitel and frankly it could well not have been. Lovely freshly cooked fish and chips and delicious cold wine: actually properly cold, all served by the wonderful Peter who along with his colleagues was working his socks off to make the many and varied demands of other clients. He never dropped his smile or missed a beat. Well done.
Relax42243753149
Tough Chicken Milanese virtually inedible Sent Tagliatelle Carbonna back as cold and rubbery Waited ages for coffee which came half a cup and hot milk in a teapot!
Mary Ellen F
This restaurant is located within the Sofitel Heathrow Hotel. The food was very good and reasonably priced. As a vegetarian, I was pleased with the veggie curry dish that I ordered.
A holiday should start with a great hotel and relaxing dining experience. The Vivre within Sofitel Heathrow provided just that. Excellent service from Alina front of house and the waiter who engaged wonderfully with us. The food was fabulous starting with a selection fresh warm bread rolls, starters enjoyed prawn skewers and baked goats cheese. I had the pork with mustard mash my friends enjoyed chicken caeser salad and burgers. It was cool seeing all the chefs doing what they do best. Even more so being able to walk past them and give our appreciation for their efforts. Highly recommend.
Service was good, warm greeting on arrival and friendly waiter but the food was ok at best. My rib of beef was little more than a slab of gelatinous fat with the occasional ribbon of meat. The veg was a little undercooked but tasted fresh, the dark jus was delicious.I complained about the beef, the unsympathetic waiter explained that rib of beef can be fatty but didn’t confirm that a ratio of 80% fat to 20% beef was an average expectation for this cut of meat. I had the answer but he wasn’t interested.To be fair my wife’s meal was excellent, succulent pork belly (virtually no waste), super veg and tasty jus.It would have been good if the waiter had referred my complaint to the kitchen rather than making a lame excuse and backing away from the table awkwardly.
Oh dear - it’s like a Ramsay kitchen nightmare. My condolences if you have no other choice but to eat here like us. Unfortunately the other Belle restaurant was closed - it is much higher rated. On arrival, the front desk warned us the wait would be a while and suggested we eat at the bar instead which didn’t fill us with huge confidence. Water didn’t arrive for almost 20mins so we had to get a bottle ourselves. Drinks came at the end of the meal - one was out of stock and the other was the wrong size. Curry tasted like a microwave meal served alongside long dated packet naan bread. The fish and chips looked anaemic. Kids pizza was a thick naan bread with some cheese and sauce in middle. Of course they got the bill wrong - charging us for the missing drink and for a larger glass of wine when they only gave a small. I felt so ill I was sick when I got back to the hotel room. Sofitel Mgmt - this group are not fit to run a restaurant. The whole service, staff and menu need a total overhaul. What a shame since the hotel itself is nice. I skipped snacks and breakfast at the Club too.
We enjoyed our food so much.. lovely atmosphere. Our waiter, Delwar, was very warm, welcoming, engaging and professional. Thank you for the experience ?
The experience was made so good by Bogdan. He was genuinely one of the best waiters we’ve ever met - so friendly and chatty, and extremely professional. The food was good and came quickly. Hope Bogdan is rewarded for doing such a great job!
Sceptical after recent reviews, however very impressed , food lovely and service very attentive. Special thanks to our server, Bogdon who looked after us.
We have dined here before and it has been ok. This occasion was spoiled by poor service and pretty bad management. Long waits to order and to pay. Food was passable. Pricing is ok. Choice of food is good. I hope it is back to better next time.
Having stayed at many of the worlds Sofitel and dining in afew of their restaurants, this place ranks below average.It might have been the only one open tonight (Tuesday), but that’s no excuse to offer sub standard food at high end prices.We had the minestrone soup and was not serviced with any bread. When I asked, they said “we used to” but now it’s extra. We have never been anywhere that doesn’t offer bread with a soup dish.For mains, we opted for fish and chip + Caesar salad with chicken. I can’t believe they are serving food cooked from frozen. This is completely unacceptable.They clearly ride on the fact, they are the only option for hotel guest.Sofitel raise your game or lose your status as a 5* brand. This is the second visit to your hotels in 4 months and I am wondering if I will maintain my loyalty status.
Was here 2 1/2 years ago and the food was ok but the service was horrible. Recently decided to give them another shot. Service still the worst, food was again nothing special and 3 of the 4 of us felt horrible a few hours after eating. Both times here I have waited over 30 minutes after being seated and finally went and asked it we could at least get some water. Would not recommend. They obviously have not made any improvements.
The best fish 'n chips on our whole six-week trip to England! Delicious butter chicken curry, also. But the service was slow. We sat around waiting quite awhile for menus, then waited for dessert, and then waited for the check.
Restaurantji Recommends
Cristo, our waiter, made this meal excellent. I am gluten free - and this is a heavily gluten menu. But we found a salad and salmon combo that worked for me and was quite good. My husband had the fish and chips. He said the fish was okay, but the chips were excellent. He was craving a sticky toffee pudding - and the waiter said he could get it for him from the "other kitchen". It was among the best he's ever had. And Cristo identified a gluten free and dairy free dessert for me...a vegan pavlova which was so delicious. It made for a surprisingly nice meal experience. It's fun to watch the kitchen in action too. Go early for dinner (they opened at 5:30 PM) as it got very busy by 6 PM.
We had booked a table for 7.30 pm dinner and after waiting in line we’re shown to a table. The table next to us was very very loud and discussing business on a Saturday night. We could not hear each other above their din. After 30 minutes a waiter came to take our order and we asked for a quieter table. We were told to walk outside to the terrace. Essentially this is an area in the thoroughfare of the hotel (inside) behind a wooden low fence. After another 20 minutes I went to find a waiter who said he would come out to take our order. After another 10 minutes I went and found another server. The waiter I had seen before recognised me and hit his hand on his head and came out to us. The starter was delicious but we had to chase up the bottle of wine and never got our glasses of water. When the main course was delivered by a lady she said “Bon appetit” but we said we couldn’t eat without cutlery. She promised us some but we never saw her again. After 5 minutes my husband went and found cutlery because his fish and chips were getting cold. My shepherds pie was tasteless, lots of potato and a thin layer of lamb in a watery tasteless gravy. Nobody ever came back to check on us. They add a discretionary 12.5% tip for a service charge which I didn’t think they deserved so we took the bill to the desk and told the manager of our experience. He blames the management for trying to reduce staff and told us it was our own fault because we voted for Brexit. I pointed out to him I didn’t. He said it is like that every night. He removed the service charge and 20% off the food which was fair but next time I stay at the Sofitel I will bring a picnic and save a pot of money and disappointment.
Surprisingly lovely meal at Vivre. I say surprising because it’s nearly airside , there is a more expensive option within the Sofitel and frankly it could well not have been. Lovely freshly cooked fish and chips and delicious cold wine: actually properly cold, all served by the wonderful Peter who along with his colleagues was working his socks off to make the many and varied demands of other clients. He never dropped his smile or missed a beat. Well done.
Tough Chicken Milanese virtually inedible Sent Tagliatelle Carbonna back as cold and rubbery Waited ages for coffee which came half a cup and hot milk in a teapot!
This restaurant is located within the Sofitel Heathrow Hotel. The food was very good and reasonably priced. As a vegetarian, I was pleased with the veggie curry dish that I ordered.