The Ark

14-02-2009
W Campo  0 

I went with my wife for Valentine's dinner, as we had been before and liked some options of the menu. When we sat down we found out that the expensive set menu couldn't be changed, so we spent the next hour and a half figuring out what not to eat... even the only dessert option had alcohol!!!
It was a wrong choice, and we won't be going again.

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22-03-2007
A Harris

I can not disagree more with the other reviewers on this particular restaurant. My wife and I went here for a special dinner with our daughter and son in law and it more than excelled in our expectations. My son in law works at the top end (5*) of the hotel industry and can be a little critical of places we have dined at previously so I was overjoyed to get the thumbs up from him and give myself a pat on the back in the process.We had a very friendly waitress and a very knowledgeable lady who discussed our wine requirements with us without being pushy. As far as the food goes we were all thrilled with our choices especially the Duck & chestnut ravioli which was truly scrumptious. The desserts of baked Alaska & Cheesecake were also a big hit, especially with the girls. To finish off a fabulous meal we enjoyed a small glass of homemade Limoncello which truly was the icing on the cake. I can not recommend this restaurant enough. Great service, friendly staff and fantastic food and wine, what more can you ask for.

05-03-2007
ms scott

I took a friend to The Ark on Friday night. I grew up in the area and this had always been the place we went for special family occasions and I felt quite nostalgic about the place.We arrived, were shown to a lovely table in a small intimate room. Our drinks orders were taken and we were left with the menus.My friend has some dietary 'issues' but looking at the menu we saw that by swapping a couple of the ingredients about they could provide us with what looked to be a lovely meal.The waitress came to take our order, we asked that the buck wheat pasta be substituted for the linguine in the past dish and she refused. We asked why and she told us that the chef wouldn't do it. After some prompting she went and asked the chef and came straight out of the kitchen saying again no.There was no apology or attempt to come up with something else that my friend could eat so we had to give up and ask for the bill for our drinks.Then followed a succession of what were the rudest actions I have ever experienced in a good restaurant:A door was opened right next to us and the freezing winter air was allowed to blow directly onto us. It was only shut when other diners complained.We were asked to move our chairs as we were getting in the way (they were in the place that they had left them)The table was cleared from under us without comment, the bill was plonked on the table and we were made to feel uncomfortable until we leftI used to love The Ark, but after the appalling service I received I am not sure that I will be going back.

06-10-2006
L Rankin

I have lived in the area for a while and been going to The Ark for about 8 years. Last night was the last time that I will be going there. The standards have dropped to such a degree that there is absolutely no point in paying such high prices for such food. The service is only average. I'm afraid that this once fantastic J-C Novelli gem could well be entering its final stages.

27-09-2006
Alexandra

Awful. The food was awful, we were recommended beans for a starter which came with my main meal as well, a fact I was told about and obviously would have altered what I ordered. My husband's pork was barely cooked and therefore dangerous to eat - so he didn't. There was a ton of salt on everything, you couldn't taste the spinach for the salt. The service pompous and intimidating. It is a beautiful restaurant completely ruined by the food and service. I tell everyone I know to avoid it like the plague.