Navarro's

I've just got back from Navarro's and, despite the food being ok, the service was absolutely terrible and actually quite offensive. The manager is absolutely terrible - he was very rude to us when there was confusion over our ordering of a set menu, and then refused to talk to us about the problem. The whole thing needs a big rethink.
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Sara Harris
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, November 21, 2007

I have eaten at Navarro's several times over the last few years. The food is consistently good and reasonably priced.

My problem however is with the service and management.

The service is more often than not okay. However, unless you explicitly instruct the waitresses to stagger the dishes, you run the risk of all of them arriving at the same time leaving no space on the table and a feeling of being rushed to make space.

That's tolerable and unless you're in a larger group (10 or more) this is probably the worst treatment you will experience so don't let me put you off.

If you're in a party of 10 or more though, you should be aware that despite the waitress handing you the main menu and allowing you to order from it, your only hope of a satisfactory meal is to opt for one of the (more pricey and less appetizing) set menus.

I have just returned from a meal at Navorro's with my nine teammates. We went on my recommendation and ordered as two groups of five, only for one side of the table to wait hungrily for three quarters of an hour while literally every dish ordered by the other half of the table was served.

We approached the waitress who became aggressive, claimed that this was Firm policy and challenged me to take it up with the manager before turning her back on me and walking off.

I spoke with the manager, who acknowledged that this was a less than desirable outcome but laid the blame at our table for having ordered from the main menu rather than choosing the set menu. He declared never again to allow a table of 10 to order anything other than the set menu and refused to offer so much as an apology.

Overall I feel that Navorro's serves good food but you take your chances as far as the service goes. Groups of 10 or more should stay well clear and I for one feel thoroughly let down and mildly offended by the attitude of staff and management so will not return.
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George Gaffn
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Friday, October 26, 2007

I am gobsmacked at some of these reviews.

I am a huge Tapas fan and have three favourites in London, Don Fernando and Cafe Espana are up at the top (the latter's seafood paella for two can be incredible) but Navarro's always shades it.

I have been regularly coming here for around six years and am never disappointed (though occasionally, of course, it doesn't quite meet its own high standards it still beats most other restaurants).

Be prepared for a really busy, loud restaurant with tables crammed in - and be prepared to book in advance, a good sign if ever there was one - this only adds to a generally fun atmosphere. The food is fantastic, simple, delicious and great value. I have never had a problem with service in there though you sometimes do have to grab a waitress as she is rushing about.

I would highly recommend the restaurant, as i have to many of my friends who have also become huge fans. There are very few places you can go for a meal for two on Charlotte St of such good quality and with a bottle of wine and the bill comes out to around £50.
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TC - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Contrary to the other reviews, I found the food very poor and the service charming. Perhaps they've sorted one out to the detriment of the other?!

When the octopus came I always gagged from the smell. The texture was old and slimy. It all seemed very pre-prepared and over-cooked.

Having Salt Yard and Fino round the corner are probably a help and a hindrance. A help in that they are more expensive and people may come to Navarros to try a cheaper alternative. A hindrance in that by direct comparison, Navarro's food is appalling, whilst Salt Yard and Fino's offerings are incredible.

Entirely different types of ambiance and style (or lack thereof), but a necessary comparison due to geography.
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Nick Hussey
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Really really rude staff who have awful professional and personal manners- such a shame as their chef is good at his job.
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Lisa
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Friday, March 23, 2007

I have been to this restaurant a few times and the food is very good with a wide range of tapas to choose from. However, the service has often been very poor, the staff have been rude and I have refused to pay the service charge on the bill due to their bad service. I really think that the manager of this restaurant needs to get some friendly staff who have good customer service skills as the staff here are absolutely rubbish and do not seem to care about keeping their customers happy. A real shame as the food and atmosphere are so good.
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Lorraine
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, March 12, 2007

AWFUL SERVICE! RUDE STAFF! I very rarely ask for the 10% service charge to be taken off my bill, but this is exactly what I had to do last night (and it was only a Wednesday evening!). Firstly, we did not receive all the dishes that we ordered, and then trying to get someone's attention was near on impossible. I actually had the get up from the table and walk to the service counter to ask for the bill, and again later to get someone's attention for a second time! The entire meal was completely unenjoyable - investment from management into good service training is imperative.

The food is ok, but with an infinitely better tapas restaurant round the corner. I will not be visiting Navarro's again and would recommend all my friends, family and colleagues to go elsewhere.
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Oli
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Thursday, October 19, 2006

Fantastic tapas, excellent atmosphere and imaginative menu. I keep coming here and have never been disappointed.
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Ophir Samson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, July 29, 2006

Excellente!
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Meg
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 06, 2006

I have visited Navarro's several times: the atmosphere is great, and the tapas is some of the best in London.

Service can veer towards the sloppy, but the food & venue make up for it.
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Super Hans - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, April 03, 2006