Passione

This is a restaurant that serves very classy food at high prices. No, it's not going to work for stray walk-ins looking for a cup of coffee or even for people looking for an alternative to a pizza. All is in mode of seeking a certain level of perfection. Even so, staff are on cute and fuzzy side, slightly irritating but quite biddable. Actually, I am not an absolute fan of the food here, although I can see why it costs what it does: everything is in place, the best ingredients are used. The sorrel risotto is perfect and I could eat that every time. But, overall, it seems there are two modes here: 1)textbook pefect but dull 2) adventurous mistakes eg heavy slabs of pecorino with Sardinian "poppadoms" covered in honey (= heavy sticky broken up bits ... a mess). Definitely worth eating here at least once or maybe more often eg if need reliably up market venue for entertaining guest speakers/ buiness visitors etc. Does get very crowded at lunchtime and dinner (although seemingly falling off recently) but not too noisy and gives sense of buzz/ booking strongly advised.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, March 06, 2006

Just a comment for the reviewer below.

I work in the restaurant trade, ( not at Passione, in case you were wondering), and I cannot believe that you, also in the hospitality industry, had the nerve to ask for a table on Valentine's day, only to have a coffee ! This is a day when restaurant are fully booked, over booked, and struggling to get a table for the next diner. Even if the tables were free when you entered, doesn't mean there were not booked for later on. Even if you work in a nearby hotel, restaurants are not obliged to give you a table just for the pleasure to have you there, they are also have a business to run. I suggest you go to the restaurant manager in your hotel, and get few tricks of the trade straight. Would you give away a room in your fully booked hotel at a discounted price, so that the guest could just have a nap?
Comment on this reader review

N.
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, March 01, 2006

Well, it's a nice restaurant, but a bit on the cramped side, which can be a misery, when your table neighbours are rather loudly conversing ...

We got the menu and were told about daily specials only once we were ordering ... bit of a delay there. When we were offered bread, it wasn't served with a choice of butter or olive oil. When we asked for butter, and olive oil (as they eat it in Italy!) only the butter arrived ...

They top up your wine and I don't like it, as it's hard to keep track of how much you consume, and I know a lot of people who, like myself, like to keep track! Let me empty and fill my own glass please! It would also be desirable to have more than just two kinds of wine by the glass.

The baby octopus was very tender, but too salty and it came on a plate with a very burnt toast. The pear was one of the most delicious starters I have ever eaten! The mains were very nice and decent portions, in fact the new potatoes, which came with the rabbit were absolutely out of this world. Personally I would like to see an expansion on the desert list, there is not enough choice for the ladies - and gents - with a sweet tooth.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Friday, February 24, 2006

Highly dissapointed as entered the restaurant on Valentines Day and asked if I could have coffee.

The waitress did not say a word but made a face, blocked the corridor with her body and showed me the door.

I'm a head concierge for a west end hotel, I was well dressed that day and have noticed there were 4 empty tables at the moment.

I was so surprised I just walked away and I do not care wheter they do a good food or not.
Comment on this reader review

Art Tworus
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, February 17, 2006

Congratulation to Gennaro as we say in Italy "Tu hai la passione per la cucina" which means you have passion for cooking. I am from Salerno which is very close to Amalfi where Gennaro is from.

He made me feel proud of my region cousine, absolutely superb!!!!!
Comment on this reader review

Massimo
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, February 02, 2006

I visited Passione yesterday 26 Jan 06 and I found the food exquisite and the service attentive without being overbearing. It is certainly the best Italian restaurant I have eaten in London. I would certainly recommend it - The only downside it the price – it is pricy, which means that – unless you are rich or someone else is paying – it is for special occasion only. How could the experience at Passione improved? By customers being given a video/DVD showing how to reproduce the dishes one has just eaten at home - compliment of the restaurant of course! (o_O).
Comment on this reader review

rosa
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, January 27, 2006