A very last minute decision, l’Atelier Joel Robuchon in London, to say the least, was a mistake. From the moment I walked in the door, the coat check was nowhere to be found. After waiting for about 5 minutes for the attendant to show and take our coats, the hostess led us to bar stool seats they have as dinner accommodations around the bar in the middle of a red tinted dimly lit dining area. Now, taking into consideration I booked the table very last minute (the day before the dinner), I asked if any other tables were available. Not only was I celebrating a special occasion, but on the phone the hostess did not communicate this arrangement to us. Had it been clearly stated that this would be the case, I would not have booked a bar seat at the restaurant. The lack of communication put me off, and the food I can barely remember. What I took away from that night was the bad service, bad attitude, and barely-there red lighting. I will give them one thing. They very cutely presented a tray of delicious caviar in a tray with a picture of caviar! Unfortunately, for them, I almost even forgot this detail too, if it weren’t for this picture I found afterward. The memory of bad service and an unapologetic attitude for the lack of communication, however, never goes away, and something I share with anyone who will listen. Joel Robuchon London, save yourself the trouble of snooty (if you could call it this) service, and don’t do it!