Carluccio's Caffe Market Place

Never come here on a lunchtime! Went for a friend's birthday meal a couple of weeks ago, and the service was truly abysmal. First of all, we were given the worst table in the house (right next to the kitchen) and had to put up a fight to be allowed to sit elsewhere.

Second, our drinks arrived after 1/2 hour, and were spilt all over my friend's mother. The food arrived an hour after that, by which time the birthday girl had to leave!

It took another hour to get the bill, despite asking the manager several times. To our disgust, we were charged for the drinks that had been spilt, a massive service charge, and weren't given any discount for the poor service. The manager was rude and combative when we brought this up.

Don't bother going to Carluccio's EVER!
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wiltshire wurzel
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 13, 2008

I have eaten at this particular Carluccio's on several occasions - either as a couple or as part of a large family group. On each and every occasion I have come away feeling extremely contended with the food.

The food has always been impeccably presented, and taste amazing. Only on one occasion have I not been completely happy with a particular dish (the mushroom lasagne was slightly too salty on this occasion) but otherwise I have been very impressed. It is very reasonably priced too.

As my partner have been there several times, the staff recognise us and make particular reccommendations for wines that are available but not listed on the menu - these are not just attempts to make us spend more on wine, but are well-made suggestions based on the types of wine we like.

There is a great range of vegetarian options, but on the odd occasion where I liked the look of a particular dish normally served with meat or fish - when I asked if it is possible to have this type of dish but without the meat/fish the staff have always said this is not a problem, and have never been surly about such a request - unlike some other restaurants I have been to.

Service has never been poor in my experience - when it has been extremely busy, we have on occasion had to wait a little longer than we'd like, but the staff have never been rude. In fact, I find the staff go out of their way to be pleasant but not invasive.

I would definitely reccommend eating here to friends and family.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 05, 2007

Spent a super lunchtime for a very special occasion at Carluccio's. The service was 'spot on'.... attentive but at the same time not over bearing...if you get the drift. The food was delicious, and promptly served. The shop was an added extra to ponder over once we had finished our meal....wonderful.
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christine
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 05, 2007

I'm amazed to see some negative reviews on Carluccios - I've visited a few branches over the years and come away wowed every time. I had a particularly good meal last night, hence today's gushing praise:

The mixed antipasto starter was a big plate of quality. Fresh and tasty and beautifully presented. Our mains were equally good, the only possible criticism being that world-rockingly brilliant special I enjoyed a few weeks ago, squid and prawn linguini with fish stock, was no longer available.

Service was impeccable: despite the restaurant being packed we never once felt rushed. And the service charge isn't automatically added to the bill! What a classy touch in a city where a 12.5% add-on has become standard.

The food is great value for money - starter and main for 2, plus a bottle of wine and service came in at £50.

It's not a new formula any more, but Carluccio's just works. What's not to love?
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B
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, October 05, 2007

On Friday and Saturday nights (Sept 21 & 22) my wife and I booked a table each night to enjoy the delights served up by the well trained staff at Carluccios.The meals were excellent on both occasions.The young lady in charge called Eneritz was very attentive to all customers and makes sure all is well. All meals were well priced and service was quick.
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Anne and Neville Kersey
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, September 23, 2007

Friday lunchtime - forget it!

Nice day so we queued for an outside table and then straight away (thankfully) ordered wine. Twenty minutes after we sat down our food order was taken: couple of starters, followed by 3 salads. It took another 20 minutes for the starters to arrive (after prompting) and then another wait for the salads and the second bottle of wine (unanticipated, but necessary at this stage!).

When the food arrived servings were disappointing (we had to ask for more tomatoes and basil for the salads), condiments were not forthcoming etc.

Two hours for a quick lunch at a cafe establishment is not expected and we did complain to the manager when he came and asked if we wanted the bill. When asked if they had problems with service staff or backstage he said he was surprised that we'd had such a bad experience. To his credit he said we would not have to pay for anything and he hoped we would return to give them another go.

It's a shame as Carluccio's always used to be so reliable years ago, but it has been consistently going downhill in terms of service and food, and markedly since going public. Quality has suffered, and there is an obvious attempt to cut costs to increase profits to satisfy shareholders.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Friday, June 01, 2007

Warning do not attempt to eat here on a busy lunch time. The scene. A beautiful april lunch time. The square was busy with cool people. We managed to get the last table. What fun, just like being on holiday, we said, how wrong we were.

After the anti pasta I finshed my glass of wine and began to wait and wait and. The waitress smiled worriedly, other people were eating, we were not, the ten ear only was threatening to eat the napkin.

At last food! A rather dried up piece of chicken. A plate of cold tortellini. My spaghetti didn't even arrive. The manager was called for and he begrudgingly offered me a glass of wine on the house. So I sat and waited some and waited and waited. When the wine finally arrived we were ready to leave.

Why dont you just do less covers or just hire more staff I suggested to the manager, but he was a man who didnot care.

Why do so many chain restaurants show such a lack of continuity. Sometimes there fine, other times you can be left wondering why you didnt just take and m and s sarnie to the park. Restaurant staff that dont understand customer service should go and work in tele sales.
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cartoon
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 0
Monday, April 23, 2007

We ate there at 5.30 on a Tuesday evening - it was about three quarters full and "lively". Our orders were taken quickly, the food came promptly and was delicious - such a change from the "Italian" chains with their tomato sauce/gloop over everything. The staff were helpful and pleasant, the restaurant bright and clean, the portions and prices very acceptable. We would happily eat there again and it is only a stone's throw from Oxford Street. Why eat plastic food a few hundred yards away?
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, April 04, 2007

We had a meal here last Wednesday before going to a show. One meal was fine, the other two were very poor. Rocket with gorganzola and bacon and wallnuts. Actually it was almost all rocket. Gorgonzola three pieces, bacon and wallnuts, a few!!! Service poor and the two side dishes of potatoes, well! One potatoe cut into bits, £2 a dish and they came as we were finishing! Not good. Would not go again.

Gill Griffith

26.3.07
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Gill Griffith
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Monday, March 26, 2007

I'm surprised the comments are so negative about Carluccio's. I really like this place - well cooked food made from good ingredients and excellent value for money. It's a cafe rather than a restaurant but I've never found the staff anything other than very professional and friendly. On one occasion a wrong dish was brought and the correct dish quickly came and I wasn't charged for the dish as way of an apology. Where else does that happen in a London eaterie???
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Keith Ricketts
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, January 23, 2007