Bertorelli (Floral Street)

went to Bertorelli last night 17th june and i haven't had such un enjoyable experience in a restaurant in a long time.I was a bit unsure to go back there as i had a very bad experience last year but my gf loves italian food so i thought i give them another chance and i was glad i did. from the minute we walked in we were warmly greeted and sat in a nice table in the middle of the restaurant. A nice bread board and some lovely olives were presented by a very charming waiter who made us feel at home. The place wasn't crazy busy but it was almost full. The food was amaizing, i had squid and my gf had goat cheese salad as starters to follow by spag marinara and sea bass that were beautifully presented on Bertorelli Logo plates which i thought was a nice touch.We were visited by the manager who was very keen to know our opinion about the evening and was telling us that they were changing their menu in the next 10 days, he sounded very exited about it and will surely go back to try it and see if they have finaly found the formula to be consistent and deliver the kind of experience that you expect from an Italian place, homemade rustic food and attentive service.
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Sandro
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

This visit was for my wifes birthday. The reviews i had read were fabulous for this place. Quotes like ' Food like mamma used to make'. Well I have to tell you that if my mamma made this i would be very unhappy indeed. The food was exceptionally bland, and the content was skimped and discraceful for the price. I had Black Linguini with crab. The only thing right was that the colour. It had the smallest flakes of crab you could possible imagine, and when i tasted one of these miniscule peices, it could have been anything, as there was no taste. It was unseasoned and very unpalatable. My wife has duck cannelloni, which again had miniscule pieces of duck and again absolutely no flavour. It was the strangest looking cannelloni i had ever seen, it looked more like ravioli. All in all it was a disaster, as the waiting service was equally as bad, with us being ignored and basicaly treated very poorly. I had strong words with the manager who seemed amazed that i had anything to complain about? Remembering i had completely left my main course, the bill arrived and still had this to pay. When i again beconed over the manager he apologised and the bill was reduced. Total lack of respect for the customers i would say. A definite and very positive miss this one.
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Trevor Way
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Sunday, June 08, 2008

My husband took me out to London yesterday for a birthday treat and we ended up eating in Bertorellis. Initially the restaurant looked fine but empty. We just thought this was because we were a bit early for dinner (3.15pm) so didn't think anything of it. On arrival the waitress said that we could have a table as long as we were out by 5.30pm which was a bit strange considering the place was empty. However we still wanted to try this restaurant so gave it a go. As soon as we sat down you could tell they wanted to get rid of us as soon as possible. The starter arrived near enough as soon as we ordered it and the main course arrived whilst I was still eating my starter!!! The food was ok but totally overpriced. When we received the bill we were very shocked to discover that they added cover charge and a 12.5% service charge - when the service was appalling. By the time we had finished and ready to leave, the restaurant was still completely empty! On the way out no-one acknowledged us to say goodbye and thank you so we were left feeling totally disgusted by the whole experience! I would never recommend this restaurant to anyone and certainly wont be going back.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, April 29, 2008

Went to Bertorelli's on Saturday 1st March for a friend's birthday meal and we will never go back again because of the ATROCIOUS, NONCHALANT and INATTENTIVE service. For the prices this restaurant charges along with service charge automatically added and hidden cover charges for a couple of slices of bread they should be ashamed of the quality of service or lack of it that they offer. We booked a table for three, when my friends arrived at 8.30pm the table was set for two only hence they asked for another place setting; when I arrived at 8.50pm it was still only set for two.... I believe I got my cutlery when the starter was served about an hour or so later....The menu that I had printed from toptable was different to the one we were given so I asked the waitress if it was changed on a regular basis, she hardly spoke a word of English so couldn't give me a reply.. We asked for the drinks list on two separate occasions once to the manager and once to another waiter both times after 20 minutes it hadn't arrived so we had to ask again twice, then our drinks on two occasions took over half an hour to surface despite the fact that there were at least 4 barstaff behind the bar all polishing glasses. My friends had two small beers when they arrived these glasses were never cleared away even after we ordered wine my friend ended up moving the glasses herself to another table. The nicest thing about this restaurant was the Bertorelli plate my main course was served on but unfortunately this is not enough to entice me back and I shall be spreading the word on this awful service. This is the first ever in my life that I have refused to pay service and written a review but I felt compelled to do this as their service was so lackadaisical and I would like others to be aware of this. Nobody even asked why we refused to pay the service so that surely shows how bothered they were about their own service.
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Helena Davis
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 4
Monday, March 03, 2008

Having read some of the previous reviews on this site, we went to Bertorelli's for our Xmas lunch last week with some trepidation.

I need'nt have worried. We found the restaurant charming with a great atmosphere. . The food was excellent and the service was first class. The recommendations provided by Shelley who attended to our table, were spot on. The food was nicely presented and we had a wonderful time.
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Peter Cremona
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

I visited Bertorellis floral street last night, I have eaten here before & its always been "fine" however last nights dining experiance was excellent.

I dont normally write reviews but I felt that one was meritied.

Warm genuine welcome, slick friendly service & great food.

Truly a memorable eating experience.

Based on last nights meal I highly recommned a visit if you find yourself in Soho.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

I had a not so good meal in this Bertorelli's a while back, but we were booked in to the theatre and I have always loved the other Bertorellis so decided to give it another go and I'm really glad I did.

We had a great meal with good service they really looked after us. The food was authentic and the service efficent. The manager came to our table and asked if we were happy. We told him we had previously had a bad experience he said he had only been with the company a couple of months. i felt it was a very different palce to a year ago when we went. we will definitley go back.
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joan stevens
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

I'm glad so other many people dislike this restaurant. I went here in November 07 after a nearby course with a couple of colleagues. It was without doubt the worst meal I have ever had.

Firstly, the service was attrocious. The waitress felt like she could TELL us what we should eat. Most things had run out, which wasn't her fault, but whenever anything remotely time consuming or difficult to make was ordered, she let out an audible "huff".

We asked to see the manager, since we'd waited 30 mins to order with nothing but dry bread (no butter or oil) to keep us company. The guy who came over felt like a used car salesman - smarmy, negotiating every point we made and patronising us.

Next, the wine. Inevitabley, it was corked. As soon as it was poored, it fizzed in the glass and went cloudy. Again, the waitress tried to argue that "it is meant to be like that". Terrible. A good bottle of red failed to rescue.

Lastly, the food. It tasted like it had come straight off a Brakes/3663 lorry. Nasty beef, followed by what I can only describe as chopped up bits of sausage (dry and chewy) on microwaved smash. I used to work in a pub - I know microwave mash when I see it! Desert was passable.

We asked for the bill, and were astounded that yet AGAIN, the waitress and manager argued when we knocked off the service charge, despite listing the wine, the late and poor service, the lack of availability on the menu and the terrible food, which had cost c.£45 per head. He told us we were rude and arrogant, and told us not to come back.

Don't worry mate. We won't.
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Stu
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Thursday, December 13, 2007

I am never going back to this restaurant again.

The service was initially good, but as the evening went on it got worse and worse. Our starters arrived before the wine... and if that wasn't bad enough, we were the only table not to get a wine cooler. When we asked for one the waiter completed ignored the request, so we asked again and eventually one was brought to our table. Service was slow and all the waiters looked as if they didn't want to be there and it was all a chore.

As for the food.. so overpriced for what you actually get. If you get pasta, you literally get a massive bowl of pasta, and not much else. If you get a meat/fish dish, you get about double the amount of veg than you do of the actual meat.fish.

And just to top it all off they make you pay cover charge AND service charge of 12.5%. They deserved none of it.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 2
Thursday, August 16, 2007

We ate at this restaurant last night 11th August. It was the worst meal I have ever had in my entire life. The starter of ravioli was bland and very chewy and covered in oil, yuk! If I had cooked the main meal of pasta, braised steak and tomato at home I would have thrown it straight in the bin, it was disgusting. It sounded very nice on the menu, but sadly did not match the description at all. I complained and the meal was replaced with an equally disgusting meal of burnt lamb chops. By this time I had had enough and left the restaurant. A dreadful experience I would not recommend this place to my worst enemies.
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Susan Evans
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Sunday, August 12, 2007