Banyan On The Thames at the Hotel Rafayel

I went their on Sunday 7th November for my wifes birthday – there were17 of us and we all had a three course meal, with our special offer of 50% off the food. The feedback I received from all the family was it was exceptional value for money and when can they return again. On a personal note I couldn't fault any of the dishes I had. Cromer Crab, Rack Of Lamb and Champagne Syllabub, all beautifully presented and so tasty. Very rarely have I eaten out with so many people and not received a single complaint. A huge thanks to all the staff for a memorable day, the views, service, food and ambiance were top class and even the youngest members of the family were kept amused by the boats sailing by and the helicopters landing and taking off next door. We'll be back. David, Tania & family

We visited for Sunday lunch with the 50% off deal. Whilst there weren't many people there to create atmosphere the restaurant staff were very helpful, polite and nothing seemed too much trouble at all. The food was delicious, not huge portions (which was good) and very varied which was rather nice. we had the crab starter – delicious and full or crab and then I had the fish and chips chich was monkfish in a light spicy batter and a tower of large chips with a pea puree, delicious. We relaxed in the outdoor sofsa to start with and were not rushed into ordering and then a table inside was ready for us when our starters were ready. A lovely location and I would return, perhaps mid week evening for a little more of the atmosphere.

I depend for my food and culinary ventures on Michelin series of guides or Zagat Survey that compiles consumer comments instead of using professional food critics. It is so far regrettably neither being rated by Michelin nor Zagat; after yesterday evening gala it definitely deserves a very strong rating for what I call a high class food served with some very special care to technique of cooking. Banyan is situated on a unique summer sunset south west alignment that offers perfect sunset, though it is a new player on the London scene it has some greatest of views of London Thames river water line and sunset. Incoming tide and regular helicopter landings makes it a very panoramic place. Views alone don’t sell restaurant, there is where this place comes on top, the quality of food and service. Steaks and accompanying paraphernalia of sauce and vegetables are usually most difficult to cook, for me the way Banyan presents the two in a nice treatment associated with a reasonable costs makes it an attractive propositions, I think great selections of wine add certain another nice dimension to peculiarity of the restaurant. No service charges and absence of hidden surprises like expensive water is the best attraction, I liked the purified bottled free water bottle under ‘brand name of Rafayel is a great effort to save Thames from plastic bottles.This entire experience makes Banyan so unique, once fully discovered this hidden gem will soon become Mecca of culinary delight.

Enjoyed the evening out with colleagues, especially like the river view, we shared the seekh kebab and chicken tikka as starters and I had the Mongolian warriors lamb for main which was perfect. I especially like the yogurt mixture that came with it.

Banyan was a delightful surprise! Wonderful ambiance with pleasant music in the background at just the right decibels. And the river view was magnificent. The food is a good blend of East and West, with more Asian flavours, but appealing to all palates I'd say. We had the Cromer crab and mango and king prawn, with a set of deliciously tender lamb chops, to round off our dinner with a delicious dessert of kheer brulee. The staff was warm, attentive, and eager to please but not ingratiating. The piece de resistance was the fantastic price we paid! Great great value for money. Summertime lunch/dinner dates at the Banyan are a must!

As culinary expert I come across and visit these new places for signs of any renaissance of original recipes, on that count Thames is a great restaurant and has a first-rate set of choices. East meeting west in superior gastronomic kitchens is traditionally known as so-called fusion which is neither here nor there, in my opinion Banyan on Thames combines a tradition of authentic national dishes in one menu, it needed a big chef to put seared Tuna a very Japanese cuisine, sea bass that I would rate as good a Mediterranean recipe as one can get, and a warrior lamb a grand authentic north sub-continental dish. I asked the maître d’hôtel how did they evolved such an original idea that include variety of tastes, his answer was that our owner had talked to Harrods food store and selected the top ten best sellers in the food hall as the back bone of the menu, this is what the popular taste of modern Londoner a sophisticated, cosmopolitan and a global man. I think this has a very good potential though maître d’ here is young man from Estonia no one near maître d's, such as Oscar Tschirky of the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in Manhattan, New York, who prepared food, boning fish tableside and mixing salads, but the staff has good pedigree. It is great value for money.