The Piano Lounge - Epping

4:00pm Wednesday 17th October 2007

THE Piano Lounge is only a stone's throw from public transport and has off-street parking nearby.

We were met by a cheerful greeter who asked how many our table was for and then told us how much of a struggle it would be to fit two people in as the restaurant was fully booked all evening.

When I said we were looking to eat quickly she promised to squeeze us in' if we returned 15 minutes later, at 7pm, when they started serving food.

The restaurant looks stylish, with black designer wallpaper, ornate furniture, exotic flowers at the bar and lavish chandeliers.

Everything about the decor is elaborate but sleek, oozing dramatic glamour.

The back of the restaurant has an open-hatch design through to the kitchen enabling diners to see their meals prepared by a team of impeccably-dressed chefs.

Expect to pay about £20 for a main course, and extra for side orders. Starters range from £7.95 to just over £10.

We headed straight for the main course. I ordered prime Aberdeen Angus flllet of beef with a salad side order, vine cherry tomatoes and trio of sauces while my friend went for a chicken en croute dish with a side order of homemade potato chips.

Our well-presented dishes were of an excellent quality with an array of sauces to complement each.

Despite being told the restaurant was incredibly busy and fully booked even an hour-and-a-half later we were the only people dining.

Seated in the middle of the main gangway the ample number of waiting staff stood either side making the atmosphere a little awkward. It also spoilt the dining experience having to be interrupted everytime anyone needed to walk by.

It was also disappointing that despite having so many staff, all stood chatting rather than noticing we had finished 15 minutes earlier and were waiting for the dessert menu.

I chose English raspberry vacherin with passion fruit cream (a creamed fruit cocktail-type dessert) while my friend opted for the selection of freshly cut fruit which was nicely arranged, but not so nicely priced, with all desserts at £6.95.

I found the restaurant classy and stylish, the food was superb - however I did find the customer service somewhat disappointing - and the bill was more than you would expect to pay - just over £60 for a two-course meal and soft drinks for two.

The Piano Lounge,
133-135 Epping High Street,
Epping.
Tel: 01992 577 003

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