YouTube food critic Sam Wilder visited Gordon Ramsay's Savoy Grill on the Strand for a three-course meal with friends – but was left stunned when the bill arrived at the end.
A Surprising Bill at the Savoy Grill
Sam Wilder was stunned when the bill arrived. The restaurant, located on the Strand, has been serving diners for 127 years, though celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay has overseen it since 2003. It forms part of Gordon Ramsay's empire of 27 restaurants, and one YouTube food critic has embarked on a quest to dine at as many of them as he possibly can.
Sam Wilder brought a group of four along to the Savoy Grill to discover what all the hype was about. They chose not to go for the tasting menu, which costs £125 per person, though by the meal's conclusion he found himself wishing they had.
The Meal: Highlights and Low Points
His three-course selection featured a smoked salmon soufflé to start, followed by a main of fillet steak accompanied by fennel salad, Bloody Mary fries and steamed broccoli, finishing with a selection of desserts including a dark chocolate fondant. Sam described the starter as light and rich, though he confessed that fish that soft "wasn't for me".
He also commended the quality of the desserts, declaring them the highlight of the entire meal, yet the experience fell short when it came to the main course. The YouTuber said: "My steak was just completely average. For a fillet steak that cost £64, I would have expected it to be incredible. Unfortunately, it was very average tasting. I've had better fillet steaks that don't cost half as much in other places. I honestly can't say if it was the thought of the price that made it feel a bit worse, but it just didn't wow me."
The Stunning Bill
Following a visit to the Savoy's incredible bathroom, Sam made his way back to the table only to be presented with a substantial bill. The total reached an eye-watering £158.50 per head. Sam said: "Remember earlier when we didn't want to spend £125 per person on the set menu split into four? That was £158.50 per person, so you can imagine the cost of the bill."
Final Verdict
Sam concluded: "I can't give this one the Sam Wilder seal of approval, unfortunately I just can't. The food was just okay, there was nothing exceptional about it. I really wanted to like this one, but at least the desserts were good. Sorry, Gordon." His beef was at least prepared blue as he'd requested. Even so, the YouTube content creator found himself underwhelmed by the entire experience, particularly given that he'd begun the segment by noting "I hear very very good things" about the Savoy Grill.
Sam did offer some compliments for the interior, remarking: "It was very bougie and classy inside, big round tables with round tablecloths, everything you'd expect from a high-end restaurant in a place like the Savoy."
