New Year’s Eve deserves a special occasion. One restaurant I’d never been to, but which my wife has visited and really enjoys is Chapter One. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a booking there for New Year’s Eve, so we decided to try their sister restaurant in Blackheath village, appropriately named Chapter Two. The eight course culinary ‘extravaganza’ had all the makings of a good night. A late start, meaning we should get to the turn of the year by the end of the meal. A good looking menu. A good reputation. A trendy location.
Unfortunately we were disappointed. First we were led downstairs to what some might call the atmospheric area of the restaurant, although I would call it more dark and dingy. We were taken straight to our table. There was no opportunity to mingle with the other guests over the champagne and canapés. The canapés themselves had all the finesse of an Iceland ‘Buy 3 for £5’ offer. The dinner then proceeded through a series of courses which clearly suffered at the hands of a chef not used to cooking a large number of the same dish to be served at the same time to a restaurant full of people. It really did feel like a canteen.
The serving staff did their best and were efficient at keeping the courses moving along. However, they were not attentive and didn’t therefore create the kind of intimate and friendly atmosphere the occasion deserved. At close to £100 a head for the evening I expected better.
We won’t be going back soon. Shame.
New Year’s Eve deserves a special occasion. One restaurant I’d never been to, but which my wife has visited and really enjoys is Chapter One. Unfortunately, we were unable to get a booking there for New Year’s Eve, so we decided to try their sister restaurant in Blackheath village, appropriately named Chapter Two. 
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