The Sofitel St James is a convenient location for Triple P: close to the Canadian and South African High Commissions, the Institute of Directors, Quebec Government House, the Commonwealth Secretariat and other places where Agent Triple P can be regularly found. So it is quite often that Triple P finds himself there for breakfast. Now breakfast at a boutique five star hotel like this should be a pleasurable experience but, we have to say, that we have been regularly disappointed at the Sofitel.
The interior designed by Pierre Yves-Rochon
Breakfast is either a buffet or, as Triple P prefers, a la carte. The problem is the indifferent service from grumpy Eastern European waiters. Eastern European women have been a great boost to the restaurant trade in the UK: friendly, nice looking and efficient. Their male equivalents. however, seem to resent the fact that they aren't making a packet as plumbers or carpenters. The staff in the Brasserie Roux consistently let down what could otherwise be a good restaurant.
The red grapefruit juice which Triple P requested was nice and cold, although perhaps a little on the small side. This didn't matter as they offered us a refill (although whether we would have had to pay for that wasn't clear). The teas, served in one of those trendy iron teapots, was curious as, on opening the lid, Triple P found neither a tea bag nor leaves. This meant that there was no way of adjusting the strength of the brew. As for the breakfast itself at least this time they got TripleP's order correct. In the past they have omitted items because, like increasing numbers of waiters and waitresses in London, they don't write orders down.
The breakfast itself was not as hot as it should have been although the sausage was truly excellent. It did come with some very good wholewheat toast. The all inclusive price was £23.50 which is on the high side for London but did include drinks and toast so that makes it rather better value than it first appears. An automatic 12.5% service charge was included which given the service was offhand (perhaps they are just trying to be Parisian) was a bit much.
So it loses marks for the poor quality tea, the lukewarm eggs, the rather unattractive dining room and the service.
All in all a disappointing 5/10.