£30pp—3-course lunch & bubbly at 5-star Mayfair hotel

Francatelli is located within St James’s Hotel, one of The Leading Hotels of the World, tucked just off St James’s Street. It’s within easy walking distance of St James’s Palace, with Green Street and Jermyn Street nearby. You enter through a small concierge lobby laid with red carpet, which immediately sets an expectation of refinement. We have visited this space several times in the past when it operated as William Drabble, a former Michelin-starred restaurant. Since the change of ownership, however, we hadn’t returned until spotting a Travelzoo deal offering a three-course lunch with a glass of Prosecco for £30. On arrival, it became apparent that the only additional benefit of the voucher was the Prosecco, as the standard lunchtime menu is already priced at £30. The hotel bar, located to the left on entry, is stylish and adorned with beautiful paintings. The restaurant is straight ahead. Unfortunately, the initial welcome was poor. We waited far too long at the maître d’ station before being acknowledged, largely because there was only one member of staff responsible for both greeting guests and serving tables. This delay set the tone for what would be a consistently underwhelming service experience. Without intending to be judgmental, the server had noticeable body odour, which was extremely unpleasant given the proximity required during service. In addition, the manner of service was overly familiar and far too casual for a restaurant of this calibre and setting. When presenting the Travelzoo voucher, the server announced it loudly rather than discreetly. This happened at several tables, making it obvious who was dining on a deal, which felt inappropriate and uncomfortable. The lack of discretion and the casual demeanour of the server detracted significantly from the experience. The Prosecco itself was poorly poured—barely half a champagne glass—which came across as stingy and disappointing. Interior The dining room is modern and attractive, featuring olive-green banquette seating with cushions, floral wallpaper throughout, beautiful carpets, and artwork that adds warmth and character. Service Charge A 15% service charge is automatically added to the bill, which in this case was not reflective of the service received. Water is also overpriced at £5.20. Food Starters • Pumpkin and chestnut soup: Sweet, comforting, and well-executed. The crème fraîche added balance, and it paired nicely with the sourdough bread (£4.50 for four slices with butter). • Saucisse de Morteau with warm potato salad and grain mustard dressing: A very simple dish—essentially sausage and mash with mustard. Pleasant enough but basic and easy to execute, lacking refinement. Mains • Caramelised salmon with endive tarte Tatin and red wine jus: The salmon was slightly overcooked, but the highlight was the onion tarte Tatin—beautifully caramelised with crisp pastry. The salmon skin was perfectly crispy, and the sauce tied the dish together well. • Ballotine of chicken with wild mushrooms: Beautifully presented with crisp skin, but the filling itself was rather bland and lacked depth. Desserts • Soaked savarin sponge with vanilla crème montée: Nicely presented, reminiscent of a rum baba but without the rum. Light, elegant, and enjoyable. • Francatelli’s hazelnut cake with amaretto ice cream: Excellent. Crisp textures, rich flavour, and a sauce that was particularly impressive. It evoked the flavours of a Ferrero Rocher—minus the chocolate coating. Overall Impression The food at Francatelli is above average, with some genuinely good dishes. However, the service is inadequate for a restaurant of this standard, particularly given the setting and automatic 15% service charge. Poor staffing levels, lack of professionalism, overpriced water, and the miserly Prosecco pour significantly detract from the experience. I wouldn’t return specifically for a Travelzoo deal. If I were to come back, it would be purely for the food—but only if the non-food elements, especially service, were seriously improved.

The amount of prosecco was extremely mean

Amazing service, staff and food

Waiter and all staff were excellent. Ambiance improved once a few other guests arrived.

Unfortunatley the balantine of chicken was under cooked and the meat still pink. The food was returned to the kitchen and the salmon was served to replace it. Unfortunatley this was not to my dinig partner's liking. The waiter offered something from the a la carte menu but unfortunatley my dining partner's experience was already ruined and that consequently ruined mine too. I did eat the balantine of chicken and mine was pink too.

A warm welcome, beautiful dining room and excellent food.

I would have appreciated better communication re: the booking.

We had the tasting-menu dinner. Excellent service, excellent food. Thoroughly enjoyed it!

enjoyed every minute thankyou

We were a group of four friends meeting for lunch & we thoroughly enjoyed the food, ambiance & facilities at the St Jame’s Hotel. All staff were exceedingly helpful, friendly & professional.

Memorably sophisticated, well presented food, in a sparkling, arty space. Curiously was nearly all haute French cuisine rather than the Italian one would expect from restaurant name. Service pleasant with a couple of small slips. Thanks, all - very enjoyable.

Excellent Staff

Excellent

Pleasant experience Food tasty Staff service pleasant anf helpful Christmas docorations outstanding particuarly hotel frontage

Excellent

A lovely afternoon. The Christmas afternoon tea was excellent.

Lovely lunch in luxury surroundings

very welcoming ambience and staff

A little gem in the heart of London

An enjoyable lunch

Very welcoming and attentive staff. The menu is limited - only choice of 2 for each course- but the food was very good.

The restaurant staff were super. Great ambience and a good tea with generous flowing Prosecco. A thoroughly enjoyable experience

Great location very limited selection of food

A friend and I went for afternoon tea at St James’s Hotel. We are seasoned afternoon tea-ers and St James’s had been recommended to me by my son who has both had lunch and dined there. The staff were charming and provided a friendly but professional atmosphere. There were sufficient guests there to add a buzz to the place but not so many that we were crowded. At no point did we feel rushed or hurried along. The tea was delightful and substantial and we left happily with a box of leftovers each as neither of us could finish it all. I was also pleased that they offered decaffeinated tea because that is not always a given. We agreed we would both happily return there on another occasion for tea or to dine.

The restaurant was spotlessly clean, cosy and just the right atmosphere. The staff were helpful, pleasant. The food was hot, very tasty, well presented and plentiful. It was just a bit hard to find, but dont let that put you off. The exterior was decorated beautifully , very welcoming., Would definitely go back.

The hotel was beautifully decorated for the Christmas decorates and staff were friendly

The service was very average. Staff were friendly but service was slow and not the level I expect from a 5 star hotel. I had booked the bottomless prosecco deal and it took approx. 20 mins to get a glass of prosecco and we had to ask for it, The waiter then brought over two empty glasses and came back in a few minutes to fill them. When the afternoon tea food was served we had to make space on the table, I normally expect the staff to ensure the table to clear enough for the cake stands, before they bring it out, I had also asked the waiter if he could take a photo of us (wanting a picture of us with the food / drinks etc.), the waiter said he would come back and did not, we could see him behind the bar on his phone. So we began to eat. I like to take photo to make recommendations on my blog

What seems to be a 3 course lunch for the two of us at £60 is not quite as it is. I wanted some Bread with my soup +£4.50, some Still Water + £5.20, 2 Coffees +£10 one small glass of wine +£20 THEN 17.5 % Service Charge = £54.65 !!!!! TOTAL FOR 3 Course Lunch £114.65 !!!!!!!

BE CAREFUL BOOKING THIS - What seems to be a 3 course lunch for the two of us at £60 is not quite as it is. I wanted some Bread with my soup +£4.50, some Still Water + £5.20, 2 Coffees +£10 one small glass of wine +£20 THEN 17.5 % Service Charge = £54.65 !!!!! TOTAL FOR 3 Course Lunch £114.65 !!!!!!!

Overall, a good experience, but some of the waiting staff may need a bit more training.

No

Meal, ambience, no gibe, dull

The setting was lovely as was the food. We were not rushed at all and the service was excellent. It was a fantastic very very long lunch!

Everything good. Food excellent.

Lovely experience staff were courteous and friendly Old was lovely great ambience

Beautiful hotel tucked away on a private street in central London. Staff were excellent and knowledgeable about gluten free options (which ended up being most of the menu). The food was very tasty, as was the bubbly.

The three extra drinks we ordered, and the service charge added on the end, came to £50. This felt steep, but reinforces the value of the Travelzoo offer.

Lovely environment but very quiet when we went (4pm on a Saturday). Staff very friendly and efficient. Only complaint would be for the 15% service charge - excessive!

Two of us had the delicious tasting menu as a pre-theatre meal. Highly recommend

Yes, the place is fabulous, comfortable seating surrounded by priceless paintings. The service was impeccable. Our expectations were high! They need a new exciting, varied menu to match the beautiful venue.

The menu is limited: soup or sausage and mashed potato for starters - soup always seems boring so we chose sausage and mashed potato. Main’s - Plaice is not our favourite fish so we chose chicken and ham pie (I imagined a flaky pastry crust) however it came with more mashed potato! This is the most stodgy lunch I have ever had. Total lack of imagination - I couldn’t believe mashed potatoes followed by mashed potatoes! Lots of other restaurants offer their lovely homemade bread as part of the meal, here they charge £4.50 (I’m glad we didn’t have it as it would have been more carbs).

Great

Duarte was our tremendous host from start to finish !! Absolutely fabulous from A to Z . I have asked the hotel for a month long hotel package next year. I am also James now a Saint of London !! Thanks, James Brimhall

We're so pleased we spotted this deal! The restaurant had a great ambience, The staff were friendly and helpful. The meal was excellent value.

This was definitely a venue that we will go to again, The 2 or 3 course lunch offered is excellent value for money. Perfectly placed for lunch whilst visiting London!

Staff were very welcoming and helpful. Lovely experience.

Lovely welcome and friendly and helpful staff. Gorgeous room and delicious and interesting afternoon tea. Good prosecco, too!

We were surprised that we were the only people in the dining area! The staff wern't aware of what the Travelzoo voucher entitled us to. We din't get the bottomless prosecco which was advertised on the Travelzoo website.