Little Italy

We have been to Little Italy on a Saturday night, we got seats immediately, which was awkward as there were queues at the door of each restaurant around Leicester Square.

The menu seemed okay, but the lousy music and the waiters singing aloud spoiled the nice and cosy atmosphere. The staff was mediocre, unfriendly. We were "given" olives and bread and butter.

Of four meals, only one was rubbish: pasta were tasteless, chicken cold and there was actually water at the bottom of the plate.

We did not complain. A very annoying waiter came, and made dreadful jokes about where we are from. That killed every desire for a dessert, what's is the point of saying to us that people of our city are rude and arrogant?!

The bill came, with a "cover charge" of £1,5 per person. When we asked a waitress, she looked very embarassed and explained it was for the bread and butter. When we asked a second one, she scornfully told us it was written in the menu and added "do you think I am lying?"

Indeed, it's written at the bottom of the last page, under the address and phone number of the restaurant. We paid, left no tip at all, and won't ever came back.
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1 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, October 31, 2010

The warning bells probably should have started ringing when we were able to get a table for four on a Saturday night within half an hour of arriving. Things started off badly and went rapidly downhill from there. We were taken down stairs to the basement where there seemed to be a riot in progress. The waitress tried to take us to our table to seat us but couldnt get through because we were situated between a stag party and a hen party. Once we were eventually seated things didnt improve. The noise was absolutely deafening and not only was it impossible to hear anything that was being said by our guests but it was almost impossible to order because of the din.

We eventually ordered and the starters turned up in reasonable time. They were fairly ordinary but very expensive for what they were. After some delay three of the four main courses turned up minus my wild mushroom tagliatelli which had obviously been forgotten. After all the main courses had been eaten and following apologies from the waitress my tagliatelli finally arrived. It was, ironically, very overcooked, as well as being tasteless and extremely late.

Not wishing to risk the dessert and keen to have a more peaceful evening we complained about the delay and asked for the bill.

The bill arrived and despite the complaint it included both a cover charge and a 12.5% service charge.

This restaurant should definitely be on the short list if you like being ripped off and are planning a rugby club party. Otherwise leave well alone.
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localfoodie
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Friday, October 01, 2010

This review is truly rubbish, I too have been going to Little Italy for many years for a social drink, business & family entertainment, recently dancing with my new partner and now my third World Cup.

I love it, unfortunately I can't go a much as I would like due to distance in travel & not working in London. But I have always been made very welcome by the Management & staff - who I have been there for as many years as I have although they do have additional staff for the World Cup.

I am a great watcher of people I know for a fact the Management had there Family, Friends & long term Staff for lunch & no I am not one of them.
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Nico Del-Borrello
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 21, 2010

We were meeting some friends for lunch that we had not seen for several years and as they are experts on Italian Food looked through the web and came across Little Italy Restaurant

Suggesting that we meet in Soho brought back a few great memories of times gone by, coffees and chats in places like the Two Eyes and next door, not so well known Heaven and Hell , anyway walking up Old Compton Sreet we came to Frith Street and found "Little Italy " opposite another legend venue Ronnie Scotts

From the reviews It seemed that there were vast differances in the way people had reacted from there visit to the restaurant and felt a slight concern on how my friends would react

My fault but I had not booked and whilst the place was busy we were offered a table upstairs in what certainly appeared to be a recent refirbishment

What I thought was nice was that we were asked if we were going to the theatre and was we in a hurry, but we were not

I am not a expert on decor but found this to be of a very high standard and exceptionally comfortable and welcoming

OK. We all had an aperitif whilst looking through the menu and were given some ideas and help on the selection of starters and main courses in a very professional way, without being pushy or over powering we were all pretty undecided but finished up ordering four differant meals

Our friends were in doubt that they would get it correct so we would see

My buddy chose the wine which for us was an Italian white served superbly and without any pressure in trying to sell a second bottle albeit we did have some water as well

Whilst waiting we were talking about time gone by and asked if we would like one of the Chefs specials as a compliament from the patron

Do not get the impression that this was given to us to cover for any delay in the second course arriving, it was not just a little jester from them

The four differant main courses arrived totally correct, my friend was impressed, and served in a professional but charming way. We did decide to have another bottle of wine to give us more time to chat and reminisce

There was no pressure from any one we just felt so comfortable and contented

We were later asked if we would require a desert and as we could not make a decision ask if we could have a selection of fresh fruit with the plate placed in the middle for us to help ourselves Whether this triggered the Chel into overdrive creation wise we dont know, but we were served with the most creative and varied selection of fruit I have ever seen . We asked to see the Chef so that we could congratulate him personally

Our friends were now ready to make a move so after coffees and tea for me with Brandy and Benidictine for the men, ladies did not feel the need to we called for the bill

As some previous people have mentioned maybe the costs are a little bit more but my thoughts are that if the evening has been enjoyed by all with the company , service food and ambience of the highest level perhaps it is worth it

I purposely have not said the food that we had as I beleive that when going out to eat the choice should be your own, and if it is not to your liking say why, I would find it very strange for Italins not to corrrect it as they pried themselves on providing the very best

We look forward to going again in the not to distant future
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Tom Lattimore
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, June 01, 2010

Having twins under the age of three, when we do get out of the house it is important we are able to relax and our enjoy our evening out. We were truy blessed to find this restaurant that catered to our every whim. The service was amazing and the food was to die for, the evening was topped off by further drinks downstairs and a great evening was had.

Thank you Little Italy look forward to seeing you again soon.
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Joshua Desouza
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 29, 2010

I have read the reviews below and am surprised at some of the comments. In my view this is quite simply one of the best Italian restaurants in London - and I challenge you to find a restaurant with a better atmosphere come Friday/Sat night! Its not cheap - but your in Soho so should expect to pay a bit more.
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Laura Patton
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, April 28, 2010

My husband, son and some friends had lunch at Little Italy last Sunday and I just wanted to write a positive review bearing mind some of the negative comments aI have read about this restaurant.

We have been coming here for many years now and, quite frankly, do not recognise this as the same place that some of the other reviewers speak about. The food is excellent, always, I have never had a bad meal here. The service is typically Italian: professional and friendly, but not over familiar. The atmosphere late evening is something that should be bottled and sold!!

The owner and his staff ensure that everything goes well and nothing is too much trouble.

Where I would agree with some reviewers is that this is an expensive place to eat: of course it is, the quality of the food, the service and ambience everything all costs money but is worth every penny. You wouldn't eat here every week but for a special occasion or family lunch its wonderful. I suggest if you want a cheaper place, fine but do not criticise this lovely place: if you can't afford it - don't go!
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Patsy & Trevor Austin - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, April 28, 2010

We went to Little Italy for sunday lunch with a group of friends and after having seen some of the negative reviews i thought that i should write my own.

We were welcomed iinto the Restaurant and shown to a lovely table. Our experience of the staff was that they were attentive and wanted us to enjoy the experience. Yes they did re-fill our glasses, but i would rather that than be left empty.

The food was really lovely, i had the veal and my wife had the sea bass, both were wonderful.

I really enjoy this restaurant and will be pleased to return anytime.
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Mark Stanton
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, April 26, 2010

I am not at all surprised by so many bad reviews of Little Italy from Frith Street in Soho. I have spent there a bit of time on a few occasions myself and know it a bit from the inside as well. Many say that the staff tries to pour the wine all the time - that is true. They are being trained and constantly reminded to do that by the owners, as as we all know drinks generate best income. If you say that staff is rude - this is again probably what they learn from their bosses, who are mean, rude and lack decent behaviour. You can see what is happening behind the scenes if you observe a little. What an appalling place to be and work in! I am actually sorry for its staff... who probably don't stay there for long anyway... and that is why the service can be poor... The food - average really, quite often either undercooked or arriving warm rather than hot. Overall - what a waste of money!
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B
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 23, 2010

At a little more than £200 for two people at lunch Little Italy ought to be a first class restaurant with wonderful food and service. Unfortunately it is not. Lunch there today included a bottle of wine that by the standards of a very expensive wine list was in the medium price range and a glass each prosseco to start. The starters and main courses were good. We both had deep fried baby squid which were crisp and tasty. My main of veal was also good as was the fillet steak my companion chose. The sweet course of profiteroles was very poor. They were soggy, stodgy and heavy. When the maitre d' came over to ask why we didn't like them, instead of apologising and offering to take them off the bill, he simply argued. Not a professional attitude and not a way of encouraging me to go back to the restaurant. But of course at £200 for a lunch that was no better than just good, I won't be returning.
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2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 23, 2010