San Lorenzo

I had a 'quick' business lunch here the other day. I was pretty impressed.

When I came in, I was told that they did not accept credit cards... This would have been fine, but, and this is rare, I did not have that much cash with me.

Suffice to say, when I got the menu, I was plesantly surprised.

Unusualy for me, I ordered the cheapest wine on the menu. To tell you the truth, I felt like a red, as the wine list is purley Italian, and I've had a lot of bad experinces with Italian whites. However, it was far to hot so against my judgement, I was proved wrong; I had a 1/2 bottle of Soave Classico, and was impressed for a 9 pound 1/2 bottle. Suffice to say, the benchmark was a 2002 Puligny Montrachet, which I had the night before.

To eat, I had Prawn risotto with zucchini and lobster sauce. This was a good dish, good taste all around. The only problem, and this would not usualy be a problem, was that it was really hot and really hot outside too...

To cool off, I had a Lemon Sorbet, which was good, but did not go well with the Soave at all.

To top it off I enjoyed a cigar in Hyde Park; because the restaurant did not have a cigar cutter, and I'd left mine in the car.

Only a couple of gripes - I was seated in the basement, which was not impressive decor or atmosphere. The service was mostly good, only the person serving the bread was clearly not used to the local crowd. I pointed to the bread, which I wanted, to which he responded, 'just take it'. Now, I was not to fussed, but I can imagine a few people who would be disgusted by this, and reasonably so. How do I know how clean the hands of those on other tables are!

Overal a good meal, and all under 35 pounds!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, September 12, 2006

We have been to this restaurant many times over the past 10 years and returned again last week for a special occasion. We had travelled from Cheshire for a weekend in London. The greeting at the bar where we had our first warm glass of champagne was less than inviting. Once at our table we commented on the less than favorable reviews we had recently read and that these were probably from very negative people. How wrong we were. As two people who dine out a lot and enjoy the whole experience we were completely disappointed right from the dried out bread rolls, to the salad that had seem better days with the mediterranean starter. Can't get much worse we thought but were wrong. Wild organic salmon was overcooked and dry (hard to get wrong you might think)and the veal was presented in a congealed sauce with a dollop of mash potatoes at the corner of the plate. Top this off by warm white wine which was chilled in an ineffective plastic chiller with not an ice bucket in site and there indeed is not much positive to say. What a shame but San Lorenzo is still obviously living on its past reputation and still draws the crowds and the celebrities. Interestingly, i spoke to a friend who had also lunched there recently with the same experience.
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J Burns
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, August 30, 2006

I really love this Restaurant, and am happy to recomend it. I have been eating there for 5 years since I was 21, when I use to eat there once a month religiously, and it never disapoints me. But please do not think that I am some snobby Knightsbridge girl-about-town who pays for lunch using Daddy's Coutts Cheque book. No, I am an ordinary office worker from Surrey who loves good italian food and a great atmosphere. This is what SAN LORENZO has in spades. I love the food, and have had worse and paid more in a Harvester (I kid you not!!!) and I love talking to the owners Lorenzo and Mara, either to pass the time of day, (always with an Italian style peck on the cheek - 2 from Lorenzo!!!) or to hear stories about Sophia Loren dining with 11 men, or "Peter and Britt dining with Margaret and Tony" (the penny soon drops...)

But for me, the real test of Lorenzo, Mara and indeed everyone at San Lorenzo happened the other week, when I treated my Mum to lunch there. Now, I must admit, I had not been to San Lorenzo for about 2 years when we decided to lunch there. Practically the moment we walked in the door, we were recognised, pounced on and bombarded with questions.

"Oh my God!!! We are SO pleased to see you!!! Where have you been??? How are you???"

As we sat down, 2 glasses of San Lorenzo's signature drink "Rossini", made with Prosecco & fresh raspberry juice were sent over "From Mara".

Now , like I said, Mum and I are no-one "special" - not Liz - sorry - Elizabeth Hurley with a permanent table on standby - just two ordinary office workers from Surrey, but the way we were treated that Satirday, we felt like we WERE Liz Hurley, or Tara P-T, or even Princess Diana, and THAT is the exact reason why people keep coming back to San Lorenzo year after year - and have done since 1963.

Another Lady who reviewed San Lorenzo got it right - yes it might be a little bit more expensive then other restaurants (though - in my experience - this is questionable) but you know that before you go in, just like if you went into Gucci to buy a bag. If you want cheep - go to McDonalds and eat ground up Cow knuckles for 99p !!! (There's one around the corner!!!) If you want real food and a great atmosphere, go to San Lorenzo.

I have the distinct feeling from reading these reviews that SAN LORENZO is the Restaurant world's equivalent of Marmite - you're either going to love it or hate it !!! I'm proud to say I'm one of the ones who love it and hope to do so for a long time.

See you there in 6 weeks !!!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 22, 2006

ate at SL friday evening. Why people rave about this place I do not understand. Staff were ok, a little surly. Starters were very good, excellent authentic Italian veg soup, but the main courses were poor and whats with the balsamic sauce on steak and chicken which takes over the dish, and sat on mash which had texture of instant. for alternatives try sale pepe which is on a different planet for warmth and food.
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dave
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Monday, May 22, 2006

food and service excellent.

only problem mara berni hugs 'has been celebs' and after a very expensive dinner pushes passed you with her nose in the air if you are not very rich and famous.

very off putting.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Thursday, May 04, 2006

anybody who writes a bad review of san lorenzo has absolutely no taste and is used to eating absolute rubbish. san lorenzo uses the highest quality food of which i am certain and you can definitely taste it. the service is charming and warm and the manager Domenico lovely. if you dont like it do them a favour and never go back!
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Erica
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, March 10, 2006

Went here last night. The service was good but the food was only average.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Friday, February 10, 2006

Friday the 13th, we had dinner at San Lorenzos. The food was excellent, the service was great. Mrs Berni took the time to say hello. The place was packed!

We got their at 7.45 P.M. and had the most enjoyable evening! We never left until 10.30 P.M. Thank you to all, for a excellent time!
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Ronnie Tober
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 18, 2006

Brillian, superb, what great aubergines they had!
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Gupta Narbheram
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, December 19, 2005

Having just returned from several days of fantastic dining in London, I feel compelled to mention the one unfortunate experience we had. I have been going to San lorenzo since I was a child, going there with my family, when it had an outside garden and a gravel floor. For years it has been a must on my trips to London both for nostalgic reasons, and because it is a wonderful restaurant.

This trip we were dining with friends and family who had made other restaurant choices (Amaya and Maze), both of which were beyond delicious and lots of fun.

At any rate, on our last evening, my husband and I stopped into San Lorenzo for an after dinner drink (around 11:00). "Mama" didn't appear to be there, but an Italian gentleman greeted us and I asked if we could just have a drink at the bar. He dramatically announced that this was a restaurant, not a bar. He was so high handed and silly that we actually thought he was kidding, as there were other people sitting at the bar. Unfortunately, we were mistaken. He had a word with the bartender, who very rudely asked what we wanted and then delivered the tiniest drinks I have ever seen. He was clearly being deliberately rude. We were horrified and left ASAP.

The San Lorenzo I remember was warm, friendly and charming. This version is rude, arrogant and totally lacking in manners. Needless to say, we won't be going back for dinner, a drink, or anything else.
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LB
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, December 12, 2005