Harden's survey result
Summary
Phil Thompson has owned this city-centre casual fine-dining spot (offering à la carte or seven-course tasting menus) for over a decade, and oversaw what was another solid performance this year; the dining area “consists of a number of small rooms, which gives a feeling of intimacy” (there’s also a charming Victorian-style courtyard), and Thompson’s classical training alongside the Galvin bros and MPW means “there’s always a good spin on traditional ideas”.
Summary
Chef-patron Phil Thompson’s “lovely food continues to excite” at the restaurant he has owned for 10 years (formerly known as Darcy’s) – which makes an “excellent place for a leisurely romantic evening”. His classical style reflects his early years cooking for the Galvin brothers and Marco Pierre White.
Summary
A “high-class local” from chef Phil Thompson, where fans applaud its “dependable” style – “perhaps no fireworks, but everything is always nicely cooked and well-presented”, be it the “excellent-value” set lunch or fancier tasting menu.
Summary
“A perfect experience – superb canapés, mains and desserts”: former Auberge du Lac chef Phil Thompson (from a family of chefs and butchers) wins consistently excellent ratings for his town-centre venue with a conservatory and terrace. “Never had a bad meal here”.
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Thompson?
2-8 Hatfield Rd, St Albans, AL1 3RP
Restaurant details
Prices
| Availability | 2 courses | 3 courses |  |
 |
 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Always | £49.00 | £62.00 |  |
|
|
| Cost | Availability | Courses | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Menu1 | 95.00 | Dinner only | 7 |
| Menu2 | 115.00 | Dinner only | 9 |
| Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £32.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £5.75 |
| Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Service | 12.50% |
2-8 Hatfield Rd, St Albans, AL1 3RP
| Number of Diners: | |
| Required Time: | |
Opening hours
Best British, Modern restaurants nearby
British, Modern restaurant in St Albans
British, Modern restaurant in St Albans
British, Modern restaurant in St Albans
Best similarly priced restaurants nearby
American restaurant in Marylebone
British, Modern restaurant in Kensington
Japanese restaurant in Marylebone
