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Background
The Rainforest Cafes are part of the American chain "Landry's Restaurants" which also includes names such as The Crab Shack, Saltgrass Steak House and Muer Seafood Restaurants, all, as far as I know, unknown in the UK. Rainforest Cafes are reasonably widespread in the USA ... Read review
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Advantages: Fun, different, kids will love it. Disadvantages: Can be very busy, and at such times might be too chaotic for adults!
...Background
The Rainforest Cafes are part of the American chain "Landry's Restaurants" which also includes names such as The Crab Shack, Saltgrass Steak House and Muer Seafood Restaurants, all, as far as I know, unknown in the UK. Rainforest Cafes are reasonably widespread in the USA and can be found in the Disney resorts in both California and Florida and in other major cities such as San Francisco, Chicago and Las Vegas ... ...one!). I believe the London Rainforest Cafe is the only one in the UK.
A small, but hopefully significant, aim of this corporate US chain is to help save the real rainforests. To this end the coins thrown into the crocodile pond by the front door and a percentage of certain dishes on the menu is donated to four rainforest related charities including the Rainforest Foundation and The Dian Fossey Gorilla Trust. Unfortunately there are ... more
"A wild place to shop and eat"....
Background
The Rainforest Cafes are part of the American chain "Landry's Restaurants" which also includes names such as The Crab Shack, Saltgrass Steak House and Muer Seafood Restaurants, all, as far as I know, unknown in the UK. Rainforest Cafes are reasonably widespread in the USA and can be found in the Disney resorts in both California and Florida and in other major cities such as San Francisco, Chicago and Las Vegas (situated in the MGM casino - I have been to this one!). I believe the London Rainforest Cafe is the only one in the UK.
A small, but hopefully significant, aim of this corporate US chain is to help save the real rainforests. To this end the coins thrown into the crocodile pond by the front door and a percentage of certain dishes on the menu is donated to four rainforest related charities including the Rainforest Foundation and The Dian Fossey Gorilla Trust. Unfortunately there are only a few dishes on the menu which the donation applies to so statistically you are unlikely to choose this option. I would much prefer a small amount, say even 10p, be added to each main course dish. Possibly also kids might be inspired by the cause after hearing "Tracey Tree" talk about the rainforests or sitting by the enormous globe reading "Save the Rainforest".
The London Rainforest Cafe
The Rainforest Cafe in London is situated on Shaftsbury Avenue and is part of the Trocadero complex at Piccadilly Circus. The restaurant itself is entered through a large rainforest themed shop on the ground floor selling all sorts of tropical toys, well mainly tropical, strangely I did spot a soft toy moose!
At first the restaurant itself looks quite small, but as you walk around a bit more discovering new areas you realised how massive it actually is. There are two floors, but at quieter times the lower level is usually closed. At full capacity the restaurant can seat 340 people, but, as it is split into different sections, feels much more intimate.
I went to the Rainforest Cafe with a friend last night, a Tuesday evening, and we were lucky enough to walk straight in. The restaurant was not at all busy so we enjoyed our meal in peace. At other times, for example weekends, it can be bedlam with a 45 minute wait to be seated and kids everywhere! I would therefore recommend that adult only parties stick to evenings at the beginning of the week. If you are taking a party of kids and expect the restaurant to be busy you can book online http://www.therainforestcafe.co.uk/reservations.asp or call 020 7434 3111 9am -5pm Monday to Sunday.
Virtual Tour
As you come down the stairs from the shop, flanked by a large waterfall and two gorillas to the right, there is a bar to the left. Even this is themed with the bar itself looking like a snake and shrouded by giant mushrooms. If the restaurant is busy you may well end up familiarizing yourself with the bar, but on the plus side it serves fresh fruits juices, smoothies and delicious cocktails (from around £6) as well as the traditional soft drinks, beer and wine (beer from £4, wine glass £5, coke £2).
To the right of the stairs a member of staff, dressed in safari attire of course, checks you in and shows you across the bridge into the depths of the rainforest! The attention to detail is fantastic. The walls are designed as rocks, trees trunks separate the space and the ceiling is a leafy canopy with hanging vines and foliage. In one area the canopy breaks to reveal a beautiful sapphire sky complete with glimmering stars. Another sections boasts a tropical fish tank and the "Save the Rainforest" globe (common, I think, to all the Rainforest Cafes). Best of all there are life size moving animals. We sat next to two large elephants and there are also gorillas, a butterfly, frogs etc. And every now and then a tropical storm passes by! Anyone who has been to one of the Disney resorts will be familiar with the resulting style.
The end result is basically a different eating environment that's good fun and that kids will love. Sophisticated it is definitely not, but, oddly enough as long as you pick a less busy time, it is very relaxing dining accompanied by jungle sounds.
The Menu
The food at the Rainforest Cafe is American with a tropical twist and is described as using the freshest ingredients. To give you an idea of dishes and prices here is a small selection of what is on offer:
Sample Menu
Starters
Raging Thunder Buffalo Wings Chicken drummets & wings in a spicy sauce served with blue cheese dressing and celery sticks on lettuce leaves. £6.95
Rainforest Enchiladas (V) Tortilla filled with spinach, sun-dried tomato and goat's cheese served with roast tomato & pepper sauce & rocket leaves. £6.95 With chicken £7.95
Main Courses
Rasta Pasta Grilled chicken, pappardelle pasta, walnut pesto, broccoli, red peppers and spinach tossed with garlic Alfredo sauce. £11.20 Without chicken (V) £9.75
Rainforest Classic Steakburger An 8oz, 100% rib-eye Scottish beef burger stacked with Swiss cheese, beef tomato, lettuce, pickles, red onions & relish served with fries. £11.55
Please note the above is a very small selection of the Rainforest Cafe menu and is included just to illustrate the type of food served. The full menu has loads of different dishes including a very good selection of vegetarian options, salads, pastas, chicken, fish and steak meals. And as you can see from above, your kids can still get the "all American" meal including chips, but nearly all the dishes also include a good portion of vegetables as well.
On my visit yesterday I found myself, as a vegetarian, pleasantly spoilt for choice. In the end I opted for the "Paradise Parcel" which consists of sauteed mushrooms, creamy spinach, cauliflower, mascarpone and brie in a filo parcel served on a bed of roasted vegetables. The parcel itself was really tasty, the filo pastry was crunchy and golden, the filling was creamy and delicious and the relish provided a tangy contrast. The vegetables underneath consisted of a portabella mushroom, red pepper, tomato, courgette and lettuce drizzled in balsamic dressing. Overall the meal was exactly the standard I would expect - tasty and satisfying, similar to a meal at TGI Friday's or the Hard Rock Cafe - but not haute cuisine, which, to be fair, it obviously doesn't pretend to be.
The portions aren't of American standards, but one main course was more than enough for my, admittedly smallish, appetite. I would think that with the addition of a starter and one of the many desserts, larger eaters would be fully satisfied. In terms of value the restaurant is average. I paid around £17 for my main course and soft drink (which is re-fillable) - not bad but if you were treating the whole family it would end up a pricey night out.
Events
The Rainforest Cafe can cater for a variety of events and the smaller rooms and even the whole restaurant is available for private hire. Kids birthday parties immediately spring to mind, but actually I can also see it as a fun venue for an adult do as well and it can hold 625 guests for a standing reception. Please see the website for more details: http://www.therainforestcafe.co.uk/events.asp.
Opening Hours
Monday to Wednesday Midday - 10pm
Thursday to Friday Midday - 8pm
Saturday 11.30am - 8pm
Sundays 11.30am - 10pm
Thanks for reading & I look forward to hearing your comments. Triciax
We booked at the last minute on a Friday night and were seated about one second after we bought a drink at the bar. We don't have any children but still wanted to check this place out, unfortunately their didn't seem to be any areas where there weren't screaming children but we had expected that and that's the price you pay for a kids themed restaurant, although it's a little disconcerting to have strange children staring at you while you eat!
We ... ...we spent a lot of time watching, fish are so relaxing! Absolutely loved the décor of the place, you walk over a little wooden bridge into the restaurant area and through the trees you hear sound effects of thunder.. This restaurant also donate money to funds to save the rainforests and animals so its nice to know your money is going somewhere other than just the pockets of the owners. There is also a bit of information about the environment and animals ...
worm1976 27.07.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Rainforest Cafe (London)
Advantages: Good atmosphere and special effects Disadvantages: Pricey, limited selection for adults
...tried to get into the Rainforest Cafe, near Piccadilly Circus in London, when we went to see Mary Poppins, but had been put off by the prospect of an hour's wait for a table, so we promised the kids we would try again another time, particularly as we later found a money off voucher in the Mary Poppins programme. Our mean streak was awakened!
So next time we were in London off we went. This time it was a Sunday and a bit earlier in the day, but even ... ...had been to visit the Rainforest Cafe in Florida whilst on holiday a few weeks previously, and we expected things to be replicated. First disappointment - the menu catered well for the kids but had very little variety for the adults. If you didn't want burger, steak or salad there were very few alternatives, and the prices were pretty hideous - £10.95 for a basic cheeseburger and fries, and extras, such as mushrooms soon bump the price up. The average ...
silverstreak 09.05.2005
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Rainforest Cafe (London)
...have the sound of the rainforest and actual rain falling like curtains of rain - you cannot see the walls and ceiling for plants and fun animatronic animals which were fantastic- from the cheeky parrots as my daughter called them to the gorillas and hidden in the ceiling a leopard, elephants to name but a few
the atmosphere is amazing ! the staff were brilliant and we were looked after very well - they adapted my food for my allergies which was ... ...a menu which was versatile and had not only the standard food you would expect to see but also foods slightly out of the ordinary with some very fun names
my daughter ordered a burger which she always orders and then never eats - here she ate the whole thing ! so it must have been good!
the staff were extremely good with my daughter and welcomed her as if she was as important as the adults which she is but so many restaurants fail to realise this!
...
jadsia 06.06.2007
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Rainforest Cafe (London)
Advantages: Good food, good service, fun decor Disadvantages: Quite noisy and busy.
'''Booking'''
I booked online, only to find out after that they don't actually operate a booking system only a 'priority seating system' which they say aims to seat your group within 5 - 10 minutes of your chosen time slot. This concerned me slightly as I had booked for a late afternoon on a Sunday and didn't really want to have to hang around hence me wanting to book. This wasn't a problem, we were actually early and seated straight away. '''The ... ...big and when I visited very busy. My first though about the restaurant was that it was quite tacky, but in a very strange fun way not a cringe worthy way!.
Its a very fun restaurant, this however made me think that the staff were going to be extremely irritating. I was wrong, our waitress was lovely and very helpful. '''The Food'''
We didn't have high expectations about the actual food we were really going for the experience of the restaurant. ...
pixief 29.01.2009
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Rainforest Cafe (London)
Advantages: Fun decor for very small kids Disadvantages: No value for money
...be ignored. Older kids may think it is a bit naff.
Rainforest Cafe London mistakenly thinks good decor can make up for overpriced, below par food and a long wait for nothing much. There are better places in London to go with the family at half the cost. ...
lucysmum06 31.07.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: helpful Review of Rainforest Cafe (London)
Value for Money
Standard of Menu
Atmosphere
Standard of Service
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As a parent of two fussy children who both like different things it can be very hard when visiting Parks anywhere in the world. It can normally take ages to agree on where to eat BUT the RainforestCafe is a place we as a whole family agree on again and again. We have been to the one at Animal Kingdom 4 times, the last visit was on the 22nd November 2007 (Thanksgiving). I have also visited the one in London but the Orlando one is a lot better all round.
Waiting times:
The wait to get into The Rainforestcafe is normally along one, my advice is to as soon as you get to animal kingdom make a reservation. Even though you have a reservation you still have to wait a while, can be up to 30 minutes (Longest we waited on 2nd visit). On the other hand on the 22nd Nov we basically walked in which was a huge surprise as it was thanksgiving ...
CRAFTYDONNA 03.01.2008 (28.12.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Rainforest cafè
