The Ned Buffet

I recently had the chance to experience what is touted as the UK’s most expensive buffet at The Ned in London, and honestly, I wasn’t impressed. When I first heard about this buffet, I was intrigued. The price had jumped from £50 to an eye-watering £100, and I couldn’t help but compare it to my previous visit to The Glass House in Watford, which offered a similar concept at a much better value.

As I walked into The Ned, I was immediately struck by the bustling atmosphere. The place was packed, with every table filled, and the noise level was high, making it difficult to enjoy a meal in peace. The background music and the chatter of other diners created a chaotic vibe that I found rather off-putting. I expected a more refined experience given the hefty price tag.

The buffet itself featured a range of dishes, from salads to seafood, including lobster and roast dinners. However, I was disappointed to find that the buffet wasn’t as extensive as I had anticipated. Sure, the layout looked inviting, and I was eager to dive in, especially after being greeted with a complimentary glass of Prosecco. But as I moved through the offerings, I started to notice inconsistencies in quality.

The salad selection was decent, and I particularly enjoyed the poached salmon and Serrano ham, which stood out for their freshness and flavour. But the real stars—lobster and oysters—fell flat for me. The lobster was overcooked and lacked the rich, buttery flavour I was hoping for, while the oysters, although beautifully presented, didn’t deliver the punch I had expected. They can be hit or miss, and unfortunately, this time, they missed.

Moving on to the roast dinner, I encountered more disappointment. The beef was served extremely rare, leaving little for those who prefer their meat well done. The pork was fatty, and while the crackling was crispy, it didn’t redeem the overall dish. The roast potatoes were a mixed bag; some were too hard, while others were mushy. Even the cauliflower cheese didn’t meet my expectations.

When it came to desserts, I found the selection rather basic. Tiramisu, cheesecakes, and fruit salad were available, but none really impressed me. The tiramisu was the highlight, yet I couldn’t shake the feeling that this buffet didn’t offer the luxurious experience it promised.

In the end, my bill came to £119.17, which included a bottle of water alongside the complimentary Prosecco. With all that I experienced, I can only rate this buffet a disappointing 3.5 out of 10. It felt overhyped and failed to live up to the expectations set by its price tag. I welcome your thoughts, but for me, this was a meal that I won’t be rushing to repeat.