Escoffier Room in City of London, Westminster

Visited on the last opening day of Brasserie in this academic year. We were seated by t he window, probably because there were not many customers on the day. The window tables have a lot of sunlight when the weather is good. Our waiter was a final year student and informed us that some observers are watching their performance. Afterwards a teaching staff also came to explain the similar situation to us. Our waiter was polite and courteous. We ordered soup, code fish as appetizer, lamb rump and sea bass as mains. The food presentation was good, but taste was just acceptable overall. The soup, the sea bass and the lamb were on the salty side. Price wise it is more with the market level and did not offer significant concessionary price. However, we did make some donation to help the student activities on our way out.

My most recent visit was a homage to La Gavroche, Michel Roux's restaurant that has sadly closed. I have waited a year for this experience as they were fully booked last year. The 3rd year trainee chefs created a gastronomical experience, as always, overseen Marc Whitley, Escoffier's Directeur Du Restaurant. Marc also ensured that service consistently exceeded expectations. The £40 cost of the 7 course tasting menu clearly was value for money. The pictures of the courses clearly evidence that also. They have an extensive wine list that is expertly chosen. The environment was beautiful and the food was delicious. I will definitely book in for next year as well as other events.

Remember Westminster Kingsway College is a training establishment and so flaws need to be detected and corrected. So consider this in your expectations on booking. However in general the food was excellent so no problems there. We dined at the Escoffier at lunch with the £40 tasting menu. This had a Thai flavour but was not spicy. There is also a separate vegetarian menu. I am not sure whether it is possible to ascertain the menu before booking but the dishes change every week. All the food is beautifully presented up to Michelin Star standards. The courses are appropriate size and you do not feel overfilled at the end. Canapés were served and then 4 or 5 courses. The Bream was the best I had tasted and the duck dish perfectly cooked. The dessert was a work of art and I understand that there are fully separate main and pastry kitchens. Thai fish soup was a little bland but that is being a bit picky. To follow was coffee with an amazing selection sweets and pastries. The nougat was to die for as well as the Turkish delight. There is a good selection of wine and we finished 2 bottles at £33 each. The serving staff and chefs are all students and there is one slightly fearsome supervisor/lecturer. The students started off being a little nervous so make sure any special requests are correctly noted. The lecturer is much in evidence. Any mistakes were largely around serving protocol. It is a fun experience for diners. We were there for 3 hours so don't make any appointments in the afternoon. At the end of the dinner the young chefs will come and speak to you about the meal. The restaurant itself is comfortable and art deco in style. The tables are closed together than at a usual 5 star establishment. The total bill for 4 was £234 and this is probably half the price of a tasting meal with wine elsewhere. There is no service charge but it is possible to make a donation on the way out.

The Vincent Rooms is part of Westminster Kingsway College. The dishes are cooked and served by students – and based on their list of alumni this is the next generation of renowned international chefs. The aim is to recreate a high end restaurant, as near as possible to Michelin standard in all respects. The food was excellent, certainly at, or very close, to Michelin 1 Star standard – with a well thought out menu 100% meeting the theme of the lunch (in our case “Scandinavian”). The service less so, to be honest !! We had lunch on the first day of a new rotation (the students move between the various modules). You would expect the young people to be nervous, but it still has to be professional. We are fortunate to have eaten in numerous Michelin restaurants, which is the career intentions of these young people. It's very hard to be critical given the environment, but there were numerous mistakes – things like trying to serve 2 plates together, leaning over a guest to serve rather than moving around the table, not knowing basic things about about wines, mistakes on the bill (then saying “not my fault” !!) and so on. The resident lecturer was excellent – professional, helping and encouraging them at all times. (Given the situation I've still given them 5 stars for the food really, plus effort.).

Visited The Brasserie Restaurant. This was our first time visiting the Brasserie Restaurant. We were welcomed by a student and front of house manager, coats taken and shown to our seats. All the students looked smart and had smiles on their faces. Demi was our waitress and she was very helpful and attentive. The second year student who served us our drinks and wine, had a great knowledge of the wine and we had a pleasant chat about the wine and his studies. The food was amazing, some of the best I have eaten, very reasonable in price. Service was great and the first students really did know their stuff, if they were unsure, their supervisor Mr V was on hand to help. Will definitely return. Well done to all for a lovely experience.

I recently had lunch at Vincent Rooms, we ate from the Escoffier tasting menu which was great, the sea bass and mussels dish was the stand out performer. All of the staff were lovely but a special shout out to Ayse Holmes who predominately waited on our table and provided exceptional service all afternoon.

We had a very nice experience at Vincent’s Room. The service was great and the food excellent. Everything is reunited for u to have a good lunch and leave with a full stomach!

Recently the Escoffier won a prestigious award for the best college restaurant. This title does not do it justice in my opinion. The 5 course tasting menu for £35 was exceptional. It was a Spanish themed menu that was cooked and presented to a very high standard. Trainee chefs were able to provide exceptional food to a standard that other restaurants only aspire to. The chefs and waiting staff were managed by Marc Whitley, Escoffier's Directeur Du Restaurant, who ensured that all patrons were provided with a consistent level of service. Unfortunately I did not take pictures of each course, I regret that now as I cannot share them with you. The restaurant has a josper grill which ensured that my lamb was tender and flavourful. Will I return, there is no doubt. I want to experience the tasting menu as a round the world gastronomic experience. Well done and thank you, here's to the journey.

We thoroughly enjoyed our experience at The Escoffier Room. The dining room is lovely, the service was excellent and the food was sensational, especially the petit fours! We look forward to our next visit to the Vincent Rooms.

Went during “Spanish Week” with the family - and it was another fantastic evening. I’ve been lucky enough to dine at The Escoffier Room a few times. At face value, it’s fantastic food at an amazing price…..but that’s not really what the evening is about....

What amazing food , with fantastic students , a fab experience as a past student , so lovely to eat there again 10/10

The staff were friendly, the food was delicious and I had a great time. It was lovely seeing the students on the job, practicing their skills. This is a great community restaurant and their special edition menus are a blast so please go!

What an amazing way to support young people training for a career in hospitality. This restaurant is the students classroom over seen by the fabulous Mark Whitley (tutor) who quietly directs, encourages and praises his students throughout service. The menu of classic British cuisine was...

The Vincent Rooms is part of Westminster Kingsway College and is one of the hidden treasures of central London. The dishes are cooked and served by students – and based on their list of alumni this is the next generation of renowned international chefs. This...

I think this is our fourth visit to the Escoffier Rooms, though our first lunch. It is such a pretty room. We'd be regular visitors if we were less constrained by school holidays (when the students are on vacation too). I'd love a better booking...

Slightly biased as my son is third year chef here (all the effort from menu creation, cooking and serving are delivered by the college students)- but what an experience Delicious Welsh themed tasting menu an absolute bargain for £35, with impeccable ingredients and professionally delivered....

We had a Scandinavian menu today. Booked ages ago thinking it was going to be a different menu; menu wasn't available on-line before today so a disappointment when we sat down to a meal that included cabbage soup on both meat and vegetarian menus! However...

Having been recommended Escoffier Restaurant by my friend, I was surprised that I haven't hear of this before. What a little gem! The ambiance is relaxing and not stuffy but definitely a cut above your regular restaurant. This place is staffed by students in training....

It was Indian week in the Escoffier when we visited. We have been here a good few times now and it is a reliably excellent experience. The front of house students are overseen by Marc who seems to be an exacting, though unobtrusive and understanding,...

Lovely restaurant, the students are friendly & chatty .. As is Mark who keeps his eye on them.. The food amazing, such good value.. We like the idea that the menu changes from week to week so always something new to try.. We will be...

Nice comfortable settingFeels decadent Good atmosphere 5 course lunch was excellent value Obviously the students are learning however better service than many restaurants have been t

What a find! The food was absolutely delicious, even down to the bread basket. We had beef croquettes and curried mussel soup for starter followed but ribeye steak and duck breast( the best cooked duck breast I’ve ever had). Finished off with divine rhubarb pavlova...

Amazing food and service at an exceptional price. We had a delicious 5 course menu Eastern European menu including duck and checked terrine, borscht, salmon mousse encased in sole, pork staffed cabbage leaves with perfectly cooked loin of pork and a dessert. I think it...

Three visits this year to the Escoffier Room , two with friends and one for my birthday with my wife, already booked twice for 2023. All visits, a very warm welcome every time, the same excellent service , quality of food and presentation by the...

Excellent service from our waiter Oliver and sommelier Gidee (please forgive me if that is spelt incorrectly), and simply delicious food. What more could you ask for - just that you are helping these young people train for their future careers. We will most definitely...

We were greeted with a warm welcome. The food was cooked and presented to a high standard and tasted delicious. The service was efficient and the waiter was attentive. In my opinion, this is a Catering College of the highest standard.

Escoffier Room 24/11/2022 x 3 covs having Tasting Menu and Wine Flight. Brought back memories of attending Catering College 1969 til 1974 day release. C&G’s 147/1,2,3. Then C&G 151 & 153. Happy days with long hours. Had to take College days as your days off....

This restaurant came recommended and lived up to expectations. The students serving our food were well supervised and did a really good job. We had the Italian Menu for lunch, and between us experienced both the vegetarian courses and the meat and fish too. The...

This is a first class training restaurant - absolutely love the menus. You are aware that this is a training restaurant but it is every bit (or better in some cases) than expensive restaurants in town. The food is varied, well cooked and professionally and...

Wasn't sure what to expect for German week, a very good imaginative menu. You know you are in a training environment, but staff/students are professional and friendly. A lovely meal in relaxing surroundings.

Everything cooked to perfection and excellent presentation. We had the wine taster menu, first class wines and good pairings with food. A real privilege to experience the food. Will definitely be back.

Had a wonderful seafood tasting menu for lunch today. Very reasonably priced at £35 per person for 7 courses. Wine was extra but also very reasonably priced. All was delicious! The students who both cooked and served the food deserve a lot of credit and...

We had lunch today at the Escoffier Room. What a wonderful experience! So many beautiful courses including a beautiful tempura oyster, lobster bisque, a delicious salmon main course and a fabulous dessert with a chocolate parfait, sable biscuit and plum jelly and poached plum. Excellent...

This place really is one of London’s best kept secrets. My partner and I booked for lunch, on Thursday, in the Escoffier Dining Room. What a fabulous experience. The food was Michelin Star quality without the hefty prices. It was all really delicious and served...

What an amazing find in the heart of London! A true gem! The food, the premises and the service are top class! I will definitely go back and enjoy their beautiful creations!

We had the set Mediterranean themed lunch menu in the Escoffier Room last week, wow! All the students were so helpful and enthusiastic. The food was 5 star, such detail on every course, couldn’t fault it at all. The restaurant Manager/ lecturer was helpful and...

Great quality food cooked to perfection. Lovely selection of wine and other drinks. Both the Escoffier and Brasserie are comfortable with a nice ambience. Staff are welcoming and its just a lovely place to visit.

My family member and I went to the Vincent Rooms Brasserie to try their special Korean Menu today. Service was prompt, quick and nice, the food was pretty tasty; but MOST OF ALL their Korean Rice Wine ice cream was sublime! The soft, refreshing flavour...

Excellent lunch here with friends this week for the Italian themed week. The quality of the food was wonderful, as you would expect in any top restaurant. Cooked and served by the students at the college which all adds to the experience. Great value is...

In the last few months I have dined at Escoffier Room four or five times. I don’t normally enjoy going out to dine in London, but Escoffier Room has renewed my enthusiasm. Now, it is important to recognise that chef, sommelier and waiter(s) are training....

A few bits of constructive criticism. - This is the second time we've been to The Vincent Rooms Brasserie and this trip wasn't as good because the menu was completely stripped down from the online example menu (and our previous visit). It was literally fish...

Having visited the Brasserie previously we were so pleased to manage a booking to celebrate a birthday for a group of friends. Service impeccable and students well led and shown best practice at all stages. The room is divine and so sophisticated and well decorated....

We've been meaning to come here for years, but our visits to London invariably happen during the school holidays (when the college is closed). We visited for the Asian tasting menu on a Tuesday night in March (and we're definitely planning to return). The dining...

We were recommended a visit to the Escoffier and how we would enjoy a quality meal out in London for your moneys worth! in fact a lot less expensive, including the overall service. Travelling the world and enjoying so many cultural events including the foods...

I highly recommend this restaurant. Amazing food prepared and served by the students of Westminster Kingsway College. 6 courses (plus canapés and chocolates) of deliciousness. The dessert was my favorite - absolutely gorgeous. They have a different theme each week and this one was Asian....

We Visited at lunchtime today and had a delicious meal which was presented and served beautifully. We were So impressed with the skill and presentation of the food and the professional and friendly service in the restaurant Will definitely return and highly recommend

Our friends had recommended this restaurant and we weren't disappointed. The Escoffier offers an opportunity of fine dining at affordable prices. The food was extremely tasty and well presented and the portions were very generous considering the number of courses served! Plus, it is priced...

Ate at the Brasserie a week and a half ago. Amazing food - artichoke and chickpea chip starter, halibut as main and apple parfait desert all superb. Staff excellent. Just eaten lunch today (Monday) at Escoffier Room - french themed menu. Every dish lovely -...

Went to lunch today in the Brasserie with my husband and two friends. The starters were.good as was the main meal and desert. The sides were extremely basic. Pumpkin was okay but we were not impressed with the ceaser salad. I saw salad leaves and...

The Escoffier is an intimate, welcoming fine dining space created within the college. The students and staff offer a friendly expert service,it is lovely to witness the enthusiasm of the students,learning by doing. The food and wines are beautifully prepared and presented. The value for...

Our time was spent in the escoffier room, from start to finish the entire time we were here was amazing, we were looked after wonderfully by Mary Jane and Ella who made us feel welcome and relaxed, we were guided through each course very well...

I think this is my fifth review of the Vincent Rooms, and at this point there is not much I can add to previous ones. My only reason for posting is that every time we go there are different students who deserve feedback. The quality...

Went for dinner with friends to the Escoffier Restaurant. The theme was ‘Middle’Eastern’. We had a five course tasting menu and the food was delicious, superbly presented and excellent value. The service was professional yet friendly and very helpful. I would definitely recommend this restaurant.

Review is based on 2 visits one to the Brasserie and to the Escoffier room. On both visits the food served was first class, of course the Escoffier was more refined but across 6 different meals none of us had single complaint about the quality...

We have been fine dining for over thirty years now in Central London and this evening will go down as one of our most memorable. It was our first time at the Escoffier Room and we really enjoyed the whole occasion. With all of the...

Today, Thursday 13th Jan 2022 at noon, was my first visit to the Escoffier and wow..what an incredible dining experience. The restaurant was beautifully presented with a calm atmosphere. We had the Russian based tasting menu, and every course was delicious. Top marks for the...

Have tried on a few occasions to book but not been successful, so was glad to get a reservation. We had a friendly and efficient welcome at reception and were soon settled and aperitif ordered, shortly followed by food order from the £33 Christmas menu....

We have been regular customers for years and never been disappointed Obviously there was a lull over 18 months until they were back in business this September As each week has a different theme we have had four visits since then The menu remains at...

My husband and I dined here in the Escoffier restaurant for the first time with my brother and sister-in-law after seeing a post about it on Facebook. We had the set several-course tasting menu, which was absolutely delicious - each course imaginatively prepared and cooked...

Fantastic food beautifully presented by these talented young people, with delicious wine pairings at a truly bargainous price - looking forward to coming back!

This was our first visit, but we are already planning our return! We ate in the Escoffier Restaurant, where the theme of the menu was “British Game”. We chose one meat/fish menu and one vegetarian menu, and also one wine pairing. The food was interesting,...

Marc and his enthusiastic students cooked, served and presented an outstanding set menu in tribute to the Roux brothers of seven course with a wine flight to their usual high standards and may be more given current circumstances with COVID . This was our four...

This was exquisite food which easily exceeded our high expectations. The 7 course tasting menu was presented beautifully and served to us by attentive and enthusiastic students in a gem of a dining room which only added to the experience. Each dish was exceptional. This...

My friend and I, both ex students from the 60 ‘s at WTC , met up for lunch in the Brasserie . We chose the consommé as our starter. It was tasteless and insipid which we did point out to the student who served us.She...

I'm lucky enough to be within walking distance of the Vincent Rooms and I've enjoyed going to the Brasserie a few times this Autumn since they reopened. What a lovely space! The brasserie has a bar area before the main dining area, high ceilings and...

On Friday 15 October 2021 we got married and held our reception at The Escoffier Room - what a fantastic decision that was! From our initial enquiry with Marc Whitley (restaurant manager and senior lecturer), through planning our menu and canapes with the wonderful Head...

Amazing food with delicate flavours at each course. Lovely friendly students who given time will make excellent professionals thanks to Mark overseeing their development

Had recommendations from friends and our visit didn't disappoint. Our food was amazing and the young staff are fabulous. We'll definitely be back!!

Truly fantastic lunch enjoyed by a number of people visiting the restaurant today. The two of us had a two course lunch; husband opted for the (totally unexpected!) Korean menu whilst I was tempted by other offerings. We were both delighted with our dishes: both,...

Fantastic dinner and great service. A really well thought through menu and beautifully presented. Everything tasted amazing, couldn't have had a better experience. Thanks to the student chef and hospitality team, I felt very well looked after. I'll definitely be back!

Delighted the Vincent Rooms has at last re-opened. Our first visit for 10 months and it did not disappoint. Menu slighty different in so far as you pay for individual courses rather than set prices for 2 or 3 course meal. Still geat value. Our...

We visited The Escoiffier room and we were not disappointed. We chose the seafood week and the dishes are prepared with care, taste delicious and presented beautifully. This is a college restaurant so be prepared for the odd mishap, but knowing these are all students...

This is my 4th review of the Vincent Rooms, and my 4th visit, and there is not much more I can say that I haven’t said before. But the students change regularly of course and so they deserve up to date feedback. It was British...

Had a wonderful evening at the Escoffier on their opening night. The service was excellent under the discreet but observant eye of Mr W . The pairing of the wines was amazing as was the British themed menu. The food was delicious and presented to...

Fantastic lunch with Michelin star food and service at pub price. Great experience, lovely food and people.

Almost a year to the day since the last time, we are back, this time at the Brasserie instead of the Escoffier. Situated in the hall, the decor is functional but pleasant enough and there had been an effort to dress it up for Christmas....

We had the Christmas meat menu and it was very special. The whole meal had just the right amount of seasoning - perfect. The cauliflower cheese soup with cauliflower pieces was complimented by a slight spicy fried bhaji. The prawn sauce with the fish was...

We had an amazing meal and each dish was so skilfully presented it was a real work of art. The food was delicious and the service was very good too. We had a great Spanish wine from the Rioja region and 90 points to it's...

My husband and I ate here recently and as ever we were not disappointed. From the front of house staff to the chefs in the kitchen we never fail to be blown away. Our Sommelier Leo took us through the wine and menu options and...

Visted for lunch today in Escoffier Room (held in Brasserie section on this occasion). Welcomed warmly by reception and students as usual. The Escoffier menu was outstanding. There was not a course you could fault. The compte brulee was my favourite - will try and...

It has been two years since we ate at this restaurant and what a difference two years make! We remember Escoffier Room as a high quality training restaurant but did not expect such a well thought out menu (devised to celebrate Auguste Escoffier's birthday), executed...

Delicious food created and served by students at Westminster Kingsway College. Six course tasting menu - wine and food - of very high quality and at a very reasonable price. The experience so enjoyable and good to encourage the young chefs who’ll be running our...

I had a very pleasant and relaxed 5 course meal with wine pairing. The food and wine were excellent, the staff are students at the college and are helpful and informative. For £60 it can’t be beat for value. A firm favourite.

We ate in the Escoffier and had the seafood menu with accompanying wines. All was very good and we enjoyed very much. To my personal taste : 1. the tomato consume added little to the seafood medley. 2. The crumble detracted from the sorbet. 3....

A lovely atmosphere with very attentive service, a seven course seafood themed menu. Each course was delicious, the dover sole being a particular delight. The price for a fine dining menu was excellent and well worth a visit, we will be returning and would highly...

We ate at the Escoffier room which is the 7 course set menu option. A bargain at £31 a head which included super high quality produce cooked with skill by the third year students. Interesting, flavoursome dishes with a weekly changing set menu. This week...

Like most people, my husband and I haven't eaten out that much recently so it was a real treat to come here for lunch yesterday. The tables were spaced out very comfortably and the environment was modern, inviting and spacious. The menu (which changes every...

Another great lunch with friends , our third visit to Escoffier and many visits to the Brasserie in the past, see pervious reviews. First time to the newly decorated Escoffier, which has been done very tastefully, another truly enjoyable culinary experience and service by the...

Had a fantastic lunch in the Escoffier room. 6 amazing courses well put together and very reasonably priced, being cooked and served by the students at Westminster College. Julia our server was very personable and attentive (in a non intrusive way) All the courses were...

This was one of the best meals we have had at the Escoffier and could not fault any course. The menu was so unusual and well balanced that we looked forward to every course. I am so glad the Restaurant is up and running again...

This was our first visit in the new academic year. Based on previous visits our expectations were very high and to our astonishment the quality of cooking was even higher than we remembered. We had six dishes between the two of us (we always share!)...

Thank You all for 2 days (3 & 4 March 2020) in the Vincentrooms restaurants: Brasserie and Escoffiere. In the Brasserie the atmosphere was informal and the dishes very tasty and well presented. During this very enjoyable dinner, we decided that this was so great...

Came for lunch today and enjoyed the 6 course menu with matching wines. It was South African themed and was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. My favourite dish was the guinea fowl as it was so moist and tender and my favourite wine was the...

“This is amazing”, my brother exclaims as he tucks into the perfectly cooked piece of guinea fowl on his plate. I have to agree. We’re in the Escoffier Room at Westminster Kingsway College’s culinary school in Victoria, enjoying a fantastic meal that has been cooked...

Came for lunch today and enjoyed the 6 course menu with matching wines. It was South African themed and was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. My favourite dish was the guinea fowl as it was so moist and tender and my favourite wine was the...

My husband and I dined in The Escoffier Restaurant, the theme was Welsh. The waiting service students did a great job serving and explained the dishes, the sommelier’s description of each wine was knowledgeable and interesting. The menu is formed of a number of courses...

This beautiful and unpretentious eating experience was a delectable gem in an otherwise grey February. We loved the understated elegance of the place, the delicately flavoured and equally delicately presented dishes, and the unstuffy front of house staff were a breath of fresh air. A...

Superb 5 course taster menu with wine pairing, students were attentive and food was fab.. would highly recommend!

Two of us went for dinner, having heard about this venue from a local community website. The whole experience was extremely positive: a lovely venue, well organised and friendly, a selection on the menu, and good food, good drink and good service. It was nice...

The Vincent Rooms are the two training restaurants attached to Westminster Kingsway College. If our tasting menu in the The Escoffier Room was anything to go by, the college attracts real talent - and trains it beautifully, so plaudits to the teaching staff as well...