La Famiglia

My wife and I had a very enjoyable new year's eve dinner here, with attentive and friendly service (only one cocky Italian waiter, which I count as a good result), delicious food and a friendly atmosphere. I have eaten here intermittently over the past twenty-five years and it has had its down periods, mainly for poor quality service.

However, it remains one of the few Italian restaurants in Chelsea that you can rely on, and it has an atmosphere that is authentic without being over-the-top or precious. I prefer the restaurant proper to the tent at the back, but that is always busy too.

One major plus point - they lent my wife a pair of reading glasses, as she had forgotten hers. All good restaurants should do this but surprisingly few do. Maybe that's because, like us, the customers take them and, unlike us, don't return them!

It's not cheap, but I was not expecting it to be. I specially commend the vegetables, which were delicious and among the most reasonably priced for this class of restaurant.
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James - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 02, 2010

A part of Italy in Fulham, this really fels like an italian trattoria transplanted to Fulham,Real wholesome Italian food, attentive waiters, no pretentiousness, I felt like I was in Tuscany, and sensible prices, i believe the’ve been there 20 years and you can understand why, And the Angel hair pasta in truffle sauce was heavenly, Go and enjoy
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francesco
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, December 25, 2009

La Famiglia was OK, but that was 20 years ago. I scoffed there recently and frankly if I wanted that standard of food I would have been better off getting the menu du jour at a local greasy spoon....dont go...unless we hear they have improved.
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Stephen
3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Saturday, September 05, 2009

Shambles. Made the mistake of looking for a change (for changes sake) from the brilliant Frantoio - not sure why now... Poor, slow service. Noisy too. Filthy starters (cheese and proccutio) and microwaved aubergine pasta main course. Mind the prices on the menu too - some pastas priced at £9.50 but says below that if its a main its £13.50. One good thing though - don't have to go there again.
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Tim
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, August 19, 2009

I was taken to La Famiglia on a Friday evening and absolutely loved it.

The restaurant was full (our table was booked for 8.30pm) and there were people queuing at the door when arrived however we were quickly shown to our table and service was attentive but unobtrusive the whole evening.

We had simple starters, Buffalo Mozzarella and Roasted vegetables followed by Angel Pasta with Truffle Oil and Parmesan (we shared but each could have easily eaten our own, its that good) and then Duck and Scallops (huge plump and cooked perfectly wrapped in Bacon, a little salty for my taste but still enjoyable) despite our best efforts there was unfortunately no room for desert but we'd also had a great bottle of wine so were more than contented.

I look forward to going there again soon and would more than happily recommend to friends.
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TD
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, March 26, 2009

I couldn't agree with the last reviewer more. I'm all for keeping things simple but this was devoid of atmosphere, unfriendly and the food was akin to school canteen standard.

The bread was stale. The risotto had a thick skin on the top. The vongole was quite frankly both sad and mean. Obviously no pepper was offered and the room stank of gas from the outdoor garden heaters they use to heat the rear dining area which resembles a decrepit and forgotten summer fair marquee tent complete with plastic chairs. We were met with surely looks when we didn't order a starter and had a pretty uncomfortable hard sell on the the pudding trolley front.

There is a minimum food charge of £18 no matter what you order, plus a cheeky cover charge per head. This is frankly taking the michael.

This place is after your cash at all costs and sadly they are not interested in providing their customers with even the most basic value for money.
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Rachel
0 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, November 21, 2008

La Famiglia was a major disappointment. Although it feeds into the stereotype of an authentic, family-run Italian restaurant, with family photos adorning the walls and a buzz created by the frenetic chaos of waiters racing about, this is not a quality restaurant.

Most importantly, the food at La Famiglia is not good. It is barely mediocre. Perhaps we visited on an off night, but each starter and main across three people was poorly executed. This is not food your Italian nonna would make. Along with this quality of food, the service felt rushed and too frenetic to make a meal enjoyable.

There are a plethora of fantastic Italian restaurants in London; this isn't one of them. La Famiglia is a significantly overpriced, pseudo-Italiano ristorante. You can find vastly better quality food, superior service and more competitive prices at many other places. I'd recommend going elsewhere.
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Lizzy
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, June 03, 2008

We have been eating at La Famiglia for many years and went back last week after leaving it far too long. I don't know why we ever bother going anywhere else! It was simply wonderful.

The fresh, white truffles shaved on fine pasta and then roasted rabbit in a perfect reduction. The Zuccini chips are a delight . My husband had a pasta in gorgonzola to start and then the fresh and wonderful fried Calamaris.

Vin Santo was good and well priced and I will say that the weak point, always ,are the deserts. They have really improved though a good Cassata would be welcome or a fruit bowl that looked luxurious would be a treat. They used to do that. It would really be in keeping to offer something like pear and cheese.

Great wine , great service, great atmosphere!!!

We left smiling all over our faces.
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Lisa Jennings - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 30, 2007

Food was not good

Pasta were too much cooked

The waiter asked us several times for still or tap water whereas we have told them 3 times tap water. They pushed us for a bottle of wine instead of a glass. We asked them to have linguine, they simply didn't want to change and impose they bad-taste angel hair pasta (well overcooked)

The pesto didn't have any taste (pasta were overcooked also) - we told them. they didn't say anything and seem not to care about our remarks

I would say. Don't go to this place. This is quit expensive.

Except one waitor, all the other one were definitely inkind.
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3 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Friday, July 06, 2007

This is one of , if not the best Italian restaurant in London. For those who remember Alvaro's on Kings Road this restaurant brings back the great feeling and perfect food that are the hall mark of Alvaro. The service was great. The rissotto was perfect. The total experience is what one would expect from an Alvaro restaurant. Unfortunately I now live in the USA so cannot eat there as often as i would like.
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Gerard
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 27, 2007