Alloro

My first dining experience last night at this venue was a most pleasing but somewhat expected experience.

The decor : clean, modern, efficient, smart.

The food : Although presented in a modern style, contained all of the richness and flavour and homely comfort associated with Italian cuisine. It did not pretend, like French cuisine, to be a 'high art form', an invented science known only and understood by a few connoisseurs of gastronomy ! The food did what it was supposed to do - appeal to the tastebuds and warm the heart, which is the essence of Italian cooking.

The prices, although not cheap, were sensible for Central London and favourably compared with some West End restaurants which are just prohibitive for the experience of dining,

The expected predictability was in the waiting staff. The staff reflected the same hard, efficient, aloof edges of the decor. They were a little too big on the smile, which disappeared the moment you were out of sight. They were a little too polite in their gestures, like mannequins when taking your coat, case and hat. The staff need to be a little less swish and more relaxed, like the food, i.e. full of genuine good heart.

The only exception to the perfunctory smile and glazed condescension shown by the waiting staff was one little lady who was a second assistant at the table. She had warmth, charm and that old Italian kindly family feel that made you more than just a number on a bill.

It is my opinion that, as long as the prices stay reasonable at this establishment, it should be recommended to everyone to try at least once. If the disaffection and arrogance of most of the current clientele is the reason why the staff are a little bit slick and aloof, then my word of advice would be to ignore the rude and loud manners of these egotistical, overly loud patrons and smile through it because, every once in a while someone will come into your restaurant like me who just wants to love the food and be loved back in return.

I shall return to Alloro but I would like to find the staff more like my Italian grandfather ... big arms, big embrace, big on warmth.
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PRFB
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Thursday, March 10, 2011

We had lunch today and were so impressed by the quality of the food and the service. Gnocchi with meat ragout, grilled sea bass, tiramisu were the best I've ever tasted! Although the restaurant was fully packed with business lunch customers, we did enjoy our conversation and the food. Slightly pricy, but there are many dishes we want to try so we look forward to going back Alloro again.
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sum
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, January 12, 2011

If I pay these type of prices, which I don't mind at all, I expect fabulous service (competent, efficient, friendly, accomodative, discrete), great food (quality of ingredients, skillful cooking, perhaps a little creativity, presentation) and a beautiful/interesting/high quality designed interiour.

Alloro is at best a mediocre Italian on all these accounts. It tries to present itself as "fine dining" in the ever so popular (in London) posh/luxurious/prestigeous style. However, the only "fine dining" category I would give it a high mark for was the high price level - which appeared to be enough for some diners (clearly with limited experience of quality food+service+venue and excited about feeling entitled to spend an evening at such a price place).

Pasta was lumpy. Meat was lukewarm. The 'potato cake' was simply some pressed together fried potatoes, with a few olives. Also luke warm. Tiramisu was served in a pastry basket and was more like a melted ice cream - runny! Service was random, disorganised, missed orders and who had ordered what and at the end half the table were sitting there with their desserts, half with coffees. Some had dessert wines. Others wanted but waiters had never bothered to take their orders so when they did the tables were turned: the other half now had their dessert and belated desert wines, while as the other half just got their coffee.

It's not bad. It's ok. But, seriously, the food is, well, 'ok' is probably the best word I can find to describe it. And the rest, eh, 'ok'. Decor and design of the dining room is VERY 80s and not in a good way. Just plain, or perhaps even boring.

If the prices were half, or a third, I think I would think it was 'pretty good'. But at these prices I expect more. Much more. On all accounts. But I guess, there are all these punters out ther that don't care about any of the factors I would rate a "fine dining" restaurant and are simply just happy with it being expensive in their quest of feeling posh and prestigious. Perhaps I'm not a target market of Alloro?

Saying that, the hostess was very pleasant and professional.
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2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, December 01, 2010

We have been to quite a few good and posh restaurants but never have we eaten such bad food in our life. Even a small roadside Cafeterias serve better food than what we were served in Alloro Restaurant. Risotto was made from the packet????? Chef had dropped the bottle of vinegar in the pasta sauce (tomato sauce) The dish containing crab - had the crab only missing - could only find left over bites ???? Even the coffee served was cold. Thank god we did not waste any money for the desserts. The bill was £195, not even worth £95.?????? Will never dream of suggesting any one to go there..
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Pushpa Madhvani
3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, July 20, 2010