Banu Restaurant in Kensington and Chelsea

The reason for the bad reviews is this hotel is being sold and no investment has been made, told to us by staff. We dined here with Groupon, this being our third visit. The limited Groupon menu had lots of things missing when we tried to place our order, no fish or substitute (the waiter tongue in cheek offered to go to local supermarket to buy some) as I'm a pescatarian however l declined the offer. He struggled and felt embarrassed saying the chef can make vegetarian dishes, but couldn't tell me what the vegetables were, not sure if he had no idea or couldn't translate what the veg would be. Nonetheless, he brought out our starter which was pleasant, hummus and pita was the only identifiable items, my husband's meat starter didn't appear. We ordered drinks which arrived late, there was no Gin, so l couldn't have my favourite tipple, Gin is so widely available everywhere l couldn't believe they didn't have this not even standard Gordon's or Bombay! Our mains arrived, most of the plate was filled with saffron rice, although pleasant, l left veg as l didn't like the taste or couldn't decipher what it was and feared it may contain meat. My husband liked his lamb chops. We tried to receive our desert most items unavailable, had dry chocolate cake most of which wasn't edible as it was so dry. The waiter kept saying they were not a restaurant and didn't have a lot of stock so why offer Groupon! He also mentioned the hotel was being sold and the current owners don't care, this was very evident, soild carpets, lack of attention to cleanliness detail the list goes on... Another diner who was staying at the hotel placed his order, waited half an hour for his wine, he patiently asked when his food was coming each time to be told in 10mins. We left after and he still hadnt received his evening meal, concluding that there's so many restaurants locally he could've eaten elsewhere. I would advise other diners not to waste their time and money based on our experience, it's sad as we've eaten here before and enjoyed it, the owners should be ashamed, diners and guests work hard to line their pockets and receive less than standard service.

If afternoon tea is any indication of the service, and style of this hotel avoid. Visiting with my mum for a special occasion thought we would leave out normal haunts of the Intercontinental, the wellesley and such a like. We chose the Cranley as it was part of a voucher which had been purchased for my mum. Glad we did not pay hut i am very sorry for anyone who does. Food: God knows who made the sandwiches but i would question they were not made to order. Shop bought scones at least a day old, and the chocolate cake looked like it came from Tesco. Nothing like the images or the discription given. Service: Music began as a odd version of hapy birthday on loop, upon requesting it got changed became mute. Then we had the theme to titanic on loop. Staf did not take you through the selection of sandwiches and cakes. No choice between teas. One girl never removed her outside jacket. If you ever wondered what it is like to dine at Faulty Towers then this is your place. However I doubt even Basil Faulty would let service like this. The decor was dated, chipped, and odd to say the least. When we came in the staff were dealing with someone's check in and it was clear they did not have a clue which rooms were free and which had been cleaned and it was 3pm. I feel sorry for anyone like us taken in by the images. This hotel is all a cracking show and definalty no substance.

Groupon nos prometió una "comida persa de tres platos con prosecco para dos personas con un valor de 96. 50 Groupon costó 38: un ahorro del 63%" En primer lugar, el restaurante Banu NO es un restaurante, es la sala de estar en un hotel desvaído llamado The Cranley Éramos las únicas dos personas allí un sábado por la noche. Desde el menú a la carta 'extenso' nos dijeron lo que podíamos tener: una selección de solo 3 entrantes y 2 platos principales ya que la oferta de 38 que compramos estaba 'no disponible' solo su oferta actual de 2 platos y una copa de vino @ 19. 99 por persona. ¡Pagamos por adelantado 38 por una comida de 96! La comida consistió en dos pequeños panes Pitta integrales de Sainsbury calentados por persona (50 p). Media tina de salsa tzatziki de Sainsbury (70 p) y media tina de ensalada de pollo en mayonesa también de Sainsbury's (98 p). Dos vasos de Pinot Grigio de Sainsbury (2). Seguir el plato principal era un plato de cordero quemado que mi amigo no podía comer, era como comida para perros. Tuve una pierna de cordero (las de Sainsbury de las bolsas selladas para microondas 2) servidas con arroz. El arroz estaba bueno. Costo total del plato principal de Sainsbury's aprox. 4) 20) Costo total para dos personas 8. 38 - ¡no 96! Una vez que nos sirvieron, el único miembro del personal que operaba el horno de microondas y servía la comida desapareció. Esperamos y esperamos, la única persona que había en la recepción del hotel que dijo que no podía ayudar pero confirmó que no había dulces para nosotros y luego bajó la cabeza. ¡Fin de la conversación! Estoy buscando un reembolso completo de este acuerdo.

Fui con un cupón de Groupon dado como regalo y lo esperaba con ansias. La primera pista fue que un sábado por la noche no había otro restaurante, ¡pero todos los demás restaurantes locales fueron embestidos! El camarero parecía sorprendido de vernos (o probablemente a cualquiera) a pesar de que reservamos. El restaurante es más como un salón de hotel con sillones y mesas bajas, pero no es la mejor oferta. Se mostró el menú (que es completamente diferente al de su sitio web) y ordenó compartir mezze para empezar y como varios de los elementos principales se habían "agotado" (¡Dios sabe cómo no había otros comensales!!) Ambos Tenía un plato de pollo. Me ofrecieron una copa de vino (¡no es agradable!) Y obtuve el mezze (promedio de explosión y no vale 15. 99 en absoluto) y luego seguí los platos principales. Trozos de pollo a la parrilla, muy buen arroz y ensalada estándar. El pollo estaba muy muy salado y de nuevo nada tan especial. Después de terminar nuestros platos principales, nos dijeron que no había postres (a pesar de ser parte del trato y murmuró alguna razón inaudible) y nos ofrecieron café. Entregó el café, no ofreció leche y desapareció. Pidió la factura (generalmente paga un cargo por servicio con vales), pero él simplemente no dijo nada extra para pagar y se fue. ¿Cómo es este un restaurante, cómo puede promocionar Groupon? Para colmo, revisé el sitio web de Food Ratings para ver que se le habían otorgado CERO estrellas en cada sección. Lo dice todo Hazte un favor y evita.

I should have realised that having to say the word “tastecard” three times when booking was probably a bad omen. We went anyway and waited 20 mins for a drink. Ordered simple hummus and olives as a starter. Waiter came back and said they had no olives. Changed one of the starters to a chicken dish which miraculously had no sign of any chicken. Then ordered mains only to be told one of those wasn’t available either. What. A. Waste. Of. My. Time. I gave up after the starter.

The management and setup have a lot to improve. It’s an awkward place and the food is pricey however, it is fresh and tasty and I would like to send my compliments to the chef.

Delicious cuisine served in intimate homily surroundings. Good value Exceptional service from Lisa..

Very tasty authentic Persian food. Great atmosphere. Try the eggplant (aubergine) stew with the most delicious saffron rice. Home made bread off the oven. Prices towards the higher side but still reasonable.

I went to Banu restaurant for my birthday party. I’ve been told from a member of the staff that it was absolutely fine to bring food from the outside and share it with my guests as long as we pay for drinks. I went there with 7 of my guests. We started the party drinking and eating and all of the sudden the manager came and IN FRONT of ALL my guests he asked me to pay £20 each as we were eating food from the outside or to leave immediately!!! Very rude!!!! The worst place ever!!!! He came after 2 mins with all the rest of the food and the cake and he asked me and my guests to leave! There is not communication management at all!!! He ruined my birthday!

I continue to be amazed by Iranian restaurants in London. Any one of the London Persian eateries with this quality of service and food would immediately be on some "Best " list in US with people standing in line to get in. We went to Banu because it was near our hotel and because we had not been to it before. The geography and ambiance of the restaurant is refreshingly different than all other Persian restaurants. It is located in a sleepier street. No kitschy replicas of Persepolis reliefs or modernized Persian miniatures were on the walls. There was not a single copper pot or round tray hanging from awkwardly over tables either. Instead, hotel Clarion's lounge decked with comfortable armchairs and settees and the general atmosphere of a boutique London hotel is the sitting area for this restaurant. Service was prompt, courteous, and appropriately attentive. Natalie at the front desk was especially calm, collected and genuinely helpful to the hotel and restaurant patrons alike. The food (jujeh, koobideh, gheimeh, shirazi salad) was amazing. Meat was tender and succulent with adequate hints of spices. The rice was perfect, not too dry and not dripping with butter. We are certainly going back to Banu.

I came to Banu with three other people for dinner on the weekend a few weeks ago and it was without doubt one of the most awkward and uncomfortable dining experiences I've ever had. To start with, we arrived in what looked exactly like an afternoon tea setting in the hotel lobby. The design of the place was very ostentatious, with incredibly harsh lighting from the chandeliers above us. The 'restaurant' was empty, except for one elderly couple who were having a drink. There was no music and the room was almost silent, except for the humming of a drinks fridge at the back of the room and the low volume of the TV in the corner showing a world cup match. I would have liked to have left there and then- it was just unbelievably awkward and uncomfortable. We were ushered to a table next to the humming drinks fridge and had a few minutes of uncomfortable silence as we all thought about what we were in for. The armchairs and tables were very low and not practical for eating at. The elderly couple left once our starters arrived and we were alone for the duration of the meal. Given it was a weekend, this was yet another red flag for me. We made our order and hoped the food would make up for the non-existent atmosphere. I'm well acquainted with Persian food and ordered a Gheymei stew, which to my surprise arrived covered in chips- even still, it was good and traditional tasting. The chicken in the Polo Albaloo was very dry and overcooked and I believe the chef had used tinned cherries instead of fresh, which gave it an unpleasant taste. Throughout the meal the one waiter 'working' spent the majority of his time standing in the corner and watching the football. We all ate as quickly as possible and couldn't wait to get out of there quick enough. I had invited guests to this dinner and was so, SO embarrassed that I'd brought them here. I didn't want to write such a scathing review but the thought that somebody else could bring guests here and be as embarrassed as I was convinced me that I had an obligation to let others know. There is honestly more atmosphere in a doctors office than at Banu. AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

It was an evening out where all the family came together and we were very interested in the Persian/Iranian cuisine which we never had before. We enjoyed the all experience, we had the opportunity to try different flavours and way of cooking. The atmosphere was very nice, I would say out of time, a completely different lay out and space. Very elegant and extremely homy at the same time.

We saw this place on book a table and decided to try it after a visit to the V and A because restaurants around South Kensington were very crowded. We had the mixed mezze to start with lovely light and puffy bread. Mains of slow cooked chicken and fragrant lamb stew were delicious. Very generously sized mains. Not hugely busy on a Friday night but with yummy food like this, I imagine it won’t be quiet for long.

I was staying at the Colonnade hotel, and had heard good reviews about Banu, so decided to check it out - I'm glad I did! The waitress was lovely, and recommended several dishes to try. I enjoyed the marinated chicken kebab (cholo joojeh) on a bed of saffron rice. Delightful. The restaurant was clean, the staff welcoming, the food delicious. Give it a go, you'll be impressed!

The whole thing was really unorganised, it didn't feel as though they were prepared for the afternoon tea, despite me booking in advance. Not gluten free even though they claimed to be online- definitely won't be going again