The $50-per-head price tag that fell flat

A review of Idalia, the new restaurant in the revamped Olympia complex, reveals a stunning Victorian hall but underwhelming dishes at a steep price.

After a lengthy refurbishment, the grand Olympia complex in London has reopened with a new restaurant , Idalia, in its historic Pillar Hall.

The venue itself is impressive: a vast space with striking Grade II-listed marble columns and an ornate stucco ceiling, featuring a central bar and abundant decorative foliage.

On a quiet day with no conferences, the room was nearly empty. Service was notably warm, sweet, and professional, and the restaurant is dog-friendly.

The $22 crab salad that didn't make the cut

The culinary experience , however, did not match the setting. The Korean fried chicken started well with a crisp batter and succulent meat, but the asparagus were let down by an overly sharp hollandaise that drowned the dish.

The crab salad, priced at £22, was dull and under-seasoned, with fruit that was unripe and a texture suggesting it was not freshly prepared; it was removed from the bill.

The Herdwick lamb rump (£37) was cooked pink but lacked flavor, as did the accompanying jus.

A Sri Lankan chicken curry that fell short

A Sri Lankan chicken curry, at £28, was merely passable, described as comparable to airline business class food, and forgettable.

The promised sambals were merely commercial condiments, far from the vibrant, authentic versions that define Sri Lankan cuisine.

Overall, the meal was disappointing given the price point of around £50 per head.

The reviewer's verdict: a restaurant that needs to improve

The reviewer hopes Idalia will improve, but as it stands,they would not return even though it is located just three minutes from their home.

Idalia is located at Pillar Hall, 5 Olympia Way, London W14, and more information is available on the Olympia website.