La Famiglia

I have reviewed it before, and little changes, so if you don't like it, you never will. But it reminds me of the Chelsea of my youth, so I feel at home there.

The food is good but never cheap, the service can be chaotic but is fine if you are in the right mood but I could quite understand if you didn't feel that it was as special as the price you will pay. I prefer the front of house, but the tented area at the back always seems busy, which also means rather noisy for the older of us!

It is always full of people speaking Italian, which I take to be a good sign.
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James - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, December 16, 2011

Poor service, noisy and food is definitely below average. Not worth it.
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2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Saturday, September 24, 2011

Went with a party of ten for my wife's birthday and it was absolutely fantastic. I had cuttlefish risotto to start with which was one of the best dishes I've ever eaten in an italian restaurant, and my salt marsh lamb was also amazing. Lots of positive noises from the others about their food too, including treats like zucchini flowers, angel hair pasta with truffles and wild boar sausages. Overall this is a fairly traditional sounding menu but it somehow makes you want to sample everything on it. Prices are high but fair for the quality of the food. Service was friendly with about being over-the-top ridiculous friendly as it can sometimes be in Italian restaurants, and although perhaps a touch slow it was Saturday night and jammed full. Overall it was a great experience and I can't wait to go back.
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Nick - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, August 01, 2011

'Discovered' La Famiglia only about a year back, but have gone back many times since then. The starters and mains (especially the specials) are filling and good - and not priced over the top and provide good variety for vegetarians. The olive paste served with bread is amazing. I don't particularly like the look of the dessert trolley, and the service can be a little hit and miss at times- but that's bearable for a restaurant that has proved to be quite reliable in terms of quality of food.
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Pyra
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

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