restaurants

Overview

Food/Drink Type:	Modern European
Facilities:	Disabled access, Disabled toilets, Baby changing, Highchairs, Private parties, Corporate events, Outdoor area
Venue Type:	Restaurant
Dates & Times:	Open Mon to Thurs 12 noon-10pm (last orders), Fri & Sat 12 noon-10.30pm (last orders), Sun 12 noon-9pm (last orders).
Hire information:	Free hire, party menu and catering for all types of event (mobile catering also available - please ask for details).

Contact details

• Business Name:Lussmanns
• Address:Waxhouse Gate
• Town:St Albans
• County:Herts
• Postcode:AL3 4EW
• Telephone:01727 851941
• Contact:Chris Evans - Manager
• Email:chris@lussmanns.com
• Web:www.lussmanns.com
• Map: View Map

Recent reviews

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Disappointing

My first visit; I was looking forward to a good evening, but sadly I was disappointed in Lussmans, considering they won a local foodie award this year, it did not meet my expectations. The fishcake starter , nicely presented, was bland and lacking in texture, smooth mostly potato, a hint of unidentifiable fish, ideal baby weaning food! The salmon main course could have been cooked a little less and the potato cake that accompanied it would have been great as a fishcake, chunky texture, with crushed potato. perhaps they were served in the wrong order! The sticky toffee pudding tasted decidedly 'shop bought' almost as if it had been microwaved, it certainly wasn't from The Pudding stop, which I frequent weekly. However, the decor and restaurant are attractive, and the waiting staff are very pleasant can courteous. [Dec 11]

Andrei Lussmann responds: My apologies that we didn’t deliver as expected. From your comments it seems that we fell well below par. Not knowing when you ate with us it is impossible to establish whether what you ordered was to standard or not. Either way I’m not happy that you left feeling underwhelmed.

The fishcake and the sticky toffee pudding are both made in house and are amongst our top 5 sellers. It is therefore both unusual and surprising to learn of your experience - more so as both these dishes form part of our very successful two course £10.95 set lunch deal. Never-the-less we will review present practices and improve where required.

Moving forward it would be great to invite you back for a re-taster on us. Please email me at andrei@lussmanns.com and I would be more than happy to send out a gift voucher that can be used at your leisure.

by champagnelady

Edging ahead as St Albans' best

Been a few times, consistently creative food on the menu. And you get the sense the kitchen knows what they're doing. Modern stylish feel to the place with excellent service. The whole experience feels cutting edge yet good value. I would recommend it. [Sep 11]

by arden1000

Lovely food and fantastic service

We really like this restaurant. Atmosphere is lovely and service is fantastic. Our favourite is to order the Wild local rabbit andamp; chestnut mushroom linguine and the Rump steak andamp; frites and share. Superb! I would say that its a little on the expensive side but we have never had a bad meal there! [Aug 11]

by Layla

Best restaurant in St. Albans?

I haven't eaten at them all so I couldn't say for sure but Lussmanns is certainly in the running for this accolade. I've been to Lussmans on a few occasions including organising my mothers 60th birthday here. The service is excellent and the ambience and decor is pleasing and relaxing. The range of food on the menu and the fact that it is both local and seasonal are both huge winners for me. There are some tables that are much nicer to be sitting at than others which can add or detract from the experience. This is probably my favourite restaurant in St. Albans currently and certainly the place my wife and I will go to if we want to treat ourselves. If you haven't been I thoroughly recommend it. [May 11]

by Loki

very good food, improve the lighting please

Overall very good! One disappointing starter (mackerel and mine) out of four; all the main courses were enjoyed and two required a bit of extra seasoning. Our waitress was very pleasant and efficient. The dimmed lighting, (we were upstairs) meant that we struggled to read the menus for dessert and it was also a bit hot up there as well. The overall atmosphere with the kitchen / pass on show on the main floor was good, it is obviously a popular place. Very reasonable pricing as well. [Apr 11]

by MikeG

first timer

Great expectations on first visit, very lively and friendly atmosphere we were seated upstairs where the lighting made it a little difficult to read the menu, service was good, starters were very disappointing main course saved the day, an enjoyable evening, good wine, limited choice of beer would like to try again but will wait a bit. [Feb 11]

Andrei Lussmann responds:

Hello Terry. Thank you for your valued feedback. Lighting can always be increased should it be a little dim. Our beer choice, though not European, does go some way to enlightening the great brewing talents that are on our doorstep. Though they have enjoyed much applause I can appreciate that it might not be to everyone’s taste. I am happy to learn of the good service but equally concerned about your starters. In this case it would be great to learn a little more in order that we may investigate further. Andrei Lussmann (andrei@lussmanns.com)

by terry

We only have one complaint

We only have one complaint to make which is the lack of good lighting over our table.We had a lot of trouble trying to read the menu. There were two spotlights coming down in the middle of our table seating four people, but as the menus are very large when someone opposite wanted to use the spotlight they put the lit area in the shade, so that only the two people sitting next to each other can read their menu, those opposite have to wait.We even tried using the tealight candle for extra illumination. So please consider installing brighter lamps. We cannot however fault the excellent food or the waiting staff. [Jan 11]

Andrei Lussmann responds:

Thankfully the food and service was excellent. The problem might be the size of the new style menus or the lights just need turning up as the entire system is on a dimmer switch. Though the lighting is altogether more flattering by directing a pool of light into the centre of the table, the process inadvertently pulls patrons together thus creating your own bubble of intimacy, just like candles used to do. As part of our sustainability charter we will soon be moving all lights over to LEDs, thus providing the perfect opportunity review the matter once again. Thanks for your support. Andrei

by Kas

Quality

Lussmans is quality. Service is brilliant, and even if you have a problem, the issue is resolved quickly and with a smile. Service seems seamless, and whilst the staff is attentive, they get the balance between letting you eat and bothering you absolutely right! Food is just amazing--locally sourced, high quality, yum. There is no confusion between offering quantity as opposed to quality. I have had fish, pasta and burgers on my visits, and never have I been disappointed! Must go back now...[Jan 11]

by Karie

An old Favourite

Myself and four girlfriends went to Lussans for our Christmas meal and, as always, enjoyed a wonderful evening. The food is consistantly good, served by polite, informative waiting staff and the prices are reasonable. My haloumi and roasted vegetable starter was delicious as was the steak and frites main. The meat was cooked to perfection. My warm chocolate and walnut brownie desert was to die for - I'd walk over hot coals to eat it again. Can't recommend highly enough. [Dec 10]

by Smallone

Consistantly Brilliant

My favourite hobby is eating out and my favourite affordable place to do that is Lussmanns. The food is always excellent and is only challanged by the brilliant service. I cannot find anywhere in Hertfordshire that can get both elements so right - consistantly. Personal favourites are the linguini with crab and chilli and the schnitzel with linguini. A dessert wine to finish with a great selection of cheeses rounds the evening and me off well! Why do other establishments find it so hard when Andrei Lussmann makes it look so easy. [Nov 10]

by Gary Withers

Disappointing

I like Lussmans but after a visit last friday evening I was disappointed. The male waiter was obviously training a new female waitress but he was so condescending and following her every move that it was uncomfortable. The prices also seem to have risen, almost to that level where I would expect something a lot more special for the money. I think I will avoid this restaurant for a while.

Andrei Lussmann responds:

Thank you for your valued comments - always appreciated. I have noted your concern re the training that evening and, like you, agree that it needs to be reviewed. Prices have not risen for 6 months and when they did it was a notional 2-3% inflationary increase.  We have just won Best Restaurant in the St Albans Retailer of the Year Awards 2010, reflecting all our hard work but as always there is still work to be done. Thank you for your comments and, should you prefer, you can always contact me directly at andrei@lussmanns.com.

by Hopeful

John/Wheathampstead

Excellent food, friendly and efficient service, a bit noisy for us oldies! [Jul 10]

by John/Wheathampstead

Fish'n'chiptastic

Lussmanns seem to get it effortlessly right every time. Excellent value. Excellent service. Fish and chips to die for. A truly lovely way to start the weekend. Here's a top tip, sign up for email newsletter (or join them on facebook) to snap up deals like free 1/2 bottle Chenin Blanc to enjoy with your fish and chip supper. [May 10]

by Poodey

Fabulous Fish and Chips

Took advantage of Lussmanns new 'Fish and Chips Fridays' promotion (great value at £9.95) and thought it was excellent. The fish (sustainable British pollock) was lovely - though not entirely guilt free in that gorgeous crispy batter with chunky chips! It would have been enough on its own but in such a relaxed environment we couldn't resist making a night of it with starters, desserts and a very lovely bottle of Chenin Blanc. All topped off with friendly, efficient service. The perfect start to the weekend...[Apr 10]

by south-sider

Valentines Treat

What a wonderful surprise when my husband won a competition for a meal for two on Valentines Day. We were treated really well by the staff and the 3 course set menu was lovely. My husband reckons his pea and ham soup was a 'taste sensation', I especially enjoyed the lobster and the amaretto biscuits in the trifle were amazing. Thanks for a memorable night. [Feb 10]

by Louise Collins

A good return

I've always thought Lussmanns was good for lunch but I haven't been there to dinner for ages after I was disappointed (probably over 2 years ago now) when we went with friends. At the time I think the service was slow and the food a little overpriced. I thought I'd give it another go in the evening after seeing it online and we had a really great evening. Lovely food and great service. My friend who hadn't been before said we'd have to keep coming back until we'd tried the complete menu - she was very impressed and I will now recommend Lussmanns in the evenings as well as for lunches. [Nov 09]

by BWBW

Perfection

Returned to Lussmans for an evening meal. Everything was perfect; service and food. Unfortunately the restaurant had few other diners - perhaps because it was a Tuesday evening. Can't wait to return. [Nov 09]

by Gorgeous

Great for Lunch

We popped in for lunch the other day and were astounded by the quality of the food. It's so good yet without any of the pretension you might get in other restaurants. We don't come to Lussmanns very often, but when we do we know we're in for a treat. Top marks! [Oct 09]

by always about!

Great but on the decline?

We have visited Lussmann's numerous times for both lunch and dinner and it is probably our favourite restaurant in St A being child-friendly and having a varied menu. On the up-side, it's the sort of place where you can either have a quick bite cheaply or a big 3-course plus wine treat meal and be satisfied with either. Also they tend to use quality ingredients and often seem to source them locally. On the downside, we do think that the quality of the food is not quite as great as it once was. We hope this is a blip in an otherwise unblemished record, however, and will continue to frequent this restaurant in the future. [Oct 09]

by vwh

Top notch food as always!

Myself, husband, friends and business associates eat at Lussmanns regularly and have always been impressed by the quality of the food. Yesterday evening was no exception. The food is fresh and tasty. If you're fed up with being served rubbish salads elsewhere try Lussmanns. Andrei serves up a hearty, fresh Nicoise salad complete with a perfectly-cooked rare tuna steak... The atmosphere is great and waiting staff very friendly. Our Italian waitress was extremely gracious despite my wine-fueled attempts to converse very badly in her language. The evening was marred, however, by the shocking news that Manager Matt was leaving to work full time in the Bishop Stortford branch. Oh how the 'Ladies What Lunch' will miss his charm and boyish good looks as they knock back another glass of Corney and Barrow... [Jun 09]

by Sarah Edwards - Ryder Clinic

An unexpected disaster!

I have visited Lussmanns in St Albans and Hertford many times and have always been very impressed with the food and especially the wonderful service. For that reason I chose to book a table for 12 for a family celebration one Saturday lunchtime at the St Albans branch. We'd been asked to pre-order, which we did, and we all arrived on time. Things started badly when - as most of the adults were driving and the rest of the party were children - we didn't order any wine. This didn't seem to go down well with our waitress. Only one person had ordered a starter - and this arrived after about 20 minutes although it was only soup. When this was cleared away we waited for the main courses to arrive. And we waited... When I asked how long it would be before we got the food, I was fobbed off with 'four/five minutes' and we then waited for another 10. When the food did arrive, it did so in fits and starts, with the youngest children the ones left waiting longest for theirs. All in all, 11 of the 12 at our table waited 50 minutes to eat anything - despite having ordered in advance! To make matters worse, after a polite complaint was made to the manager, we were given the full bill. We declined to pay the 10% optional service charge as a result. It was a thoroughly disappointing experience and the response to our complaint just made it worse. Needless to say, it rather spoilt what should have been a celebration lunch. Perhaps they have become complacent? Or just an off-day? Well, I won't bother giving them the chance to let me find out as I shan't be going there again. Shame, as the food was great. [Jun 09]

Andrei Lussmann responds:

We at Lussmanns got it wrong on this occasion. We are sorry for the poor show and, as a gesture of good will, will be inviting the reviewer and her husband back for a meal on us. Feedback is an integral part of our culture and we appreciate any opportunity to both improve and develop our very strong local following.

by mumofthree

Reliability on all fronts!

Lussmanns is an establishment you can visit anytime of the day and receive the same service and good quality food. The staff are polite and efficient; the ingredients fresh and in season andamp; it offers a menu that will suit most tastes. The customer service is excellent andamp; the managers will always listen to your comments on the food/drink quality and take it on board.  [Jun 09]

by Jane

Great food and service

Visited this restaurant for the first time last Friday with a friend. I had booked a table but at first they tried to seat us on the top floor - there were no other diners there. However we had already spotted a table for two on the first floor which we asked to be moved to. I'm not sure why we were taken up in the first place. However, after that initial confusion - the rest of the evening was good. Service was excellent - efficient and friendly. And the food was great. My friend and I shared the squid starter, I had the crab linguini for main and my friend had the tuna nicoise salad (which was so huge she had to ask for a second plate!). We shared a chocolate brownie and ice cream for dessert - which was scrumptious! Will definitely be trying out this restaurant again.  [Jun 09]

by Sopur

Great service

I've been to Lussmanns a few times, and love the relative simplicity of the menu. The food has always been first class too. On one occasion I went with a group of friends - one of which was a friend's friend. He seemed to find fault with his food that no-one else could see. He was quite rude to the waiting staff, but they were so courteous to him and made every effort to rectify his 'problems'. Really made me admire their calmness! Lovely food and atmosphere, and A+ service. [May 09]

by chockagirl

great space, great value

Striking interior and good modern take on comfort food. Good fishcakes, pates, burgers etc. Perfect for lunch as light floods in. Good value for the quality of the food. Can be very hectic in the evenings, but usually good service. I remember taking my baby in a few times in a buggy - the staff were always very pleasant and found a good spot where I could park her alongside me. It is a large place so they are able to have space between diners so everyone was relaxed with bringing children in. [Mar 09]

by localgirl

Lovely lunch

We used to eat at Lussmanns all the time and, re-visiting today, we remembered why:

• its great location just off St Peter's Street, very close to the Abbey
• the lovely interior - with warm soft lighting, comfy cushions and great views through the floor to ceiling glass from the upper level
• an enthusiastic welcome, friendly and efficient service (in sharp contrast to our experience of visiting Kashu)
• tempting, reasonably priced menus - we opted for a two-course set lunch for £11 and a 'soup and a side' for £6.50
• delicious food - we had the home made chicken liver and pork pate, a chicken caesar salad, a chicken sandwich and some fries which were all delicious.

The restaurant was busy with relaxed groups having a good time. Recommended.[Dec 08]

by south-sider

GWP (Good With Parents)

A good place to take the parents. Friendly service, good food, not too pricey. [Oct 08]

by RnK

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