Osteria Basilico

Our table was booked for 12.30. We arrived at 12.22 and were told, rudely, to go away as the restaurant was not yet open, although the doors had been opened and there were plenty of waiting staff in evidence.

The food was bog-standard Italian fare – nothing special. The service was just this side of brusque, hardly justifying the service charge which was added to our bill automatically.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, June 17, 2008

Basilico is a perfectly good staple for a quick pre-movie dinner. The cramped tables and hurried but usually charming service are what some would call atmosphere, but the food is well above average (particularly the veal and cod) However, I will not be going again for the simple reason that when you come to pay, the machine offers you the option to add a gratuity, when the restaurant has already added an "optional" 12.5% service charge. With the waiter standing next to you, there is some pressure not to appear cheap by not adding it. For good measure, they don't bring the itemised bill back to you when you pay, so you cannot check whether service has been included without asking. When I challenged this, I was told that the service charge doesn't go to the waiters. If everyone boycotted restaurants that try to get you to pay 20%+ in tips and service, they would stop doing it. Simple really.
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William - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, February 23, 2008

well! I'v been to this restaurant many times, and of course all of us know that it's a busy restaurant, this means that is a really good restaurant....

last Saturday I was sitting downstairs in the table at the corner... we did not have enough space to be in confortable because all dishes were huge... but the food was great...my fettuccine was fantastic....

I had also tiramisu as dessert and it was really fresh... but the best thing in this restaurant is the atmosphere... and also there is a lovely guy such as Niko that came to the table many times to check if everything was under control...

He was really kind and after the coffe He gave us Italian lesson and offered Limoncillio...really really good....!

Cool!!!! Of course I will come back again...

Ciau

Meida
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meida
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, January 29, 2008

I really don't get the negative comments on Osteria either. I have been going there for the last 10 years and it consistently delivers. In addition the Barolo is awesome. The only minor complaints I would have would be that the initial welcome when you walk in can often be a little slower than desired, and availability is a challenge last minute, but overall I really cannot fault the place.
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Dan SW6
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

We do not know whether we have had a good experience at this restaurant or just experienced good luck on a particular night in view of recent comments posted on this site!

The staff were most accommodating as we arrived at 7.30pm without a booking on a Saturday night; they found us a table for two hours and were most attentive to our needs without making us feel rushed.

We enjoyed the calamari entree, seafood spaghetti and mixed seafood main all of which were delicious and thoroughly enjoyed.

Our only complaint was with the half bottled wine which was overpriced for the quality.

We will be sure to return to Osteria Basilico!
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Benjamin Richard
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Sunday, August 19, 2007

The pizzas are delicious! One of the best we've had. Pasta not so great...well, the two we tried. The pizza was thin and very flavourful. Staff was friendly enough...only issue is that it's a small place so if you ask to be seated upstairs, get ready to be plonked near the door which can be a bit cold if the weather does not cooperate.
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M&M
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 12, 2007

I am a local and have been going to this place a lot over the past two years. I don't know why I bothered. I guess I was trying to give them a chance. But after last night... Dreadful! The waiter's B.O.was so bad that I simply count not believe they would let him serve. The Pizza was cold and average. We never got the bread. Actually, we never get it without asking for it first. And even then, it comes after 20 minutes cold. We got one of the two drinks we ordered. I was really disappointed. After two years of patience I finally give up. Rude, overpriced, boring. Such a shame.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, June 26, 2007

totally agree with the negative comments made about Osteria Basilico. Myself and a friend went there Sunday 10th June and were very disappointed, not to say irritated by the 'service' we received. From the start it was clear our waiter was not bothered and had a very poor attitude towards us. When my friend raised the issue with him that she had only 5 pieces of filled pasta in her main course, he just retorted by saying that is all they ever give to customers and the pasta was 'expensive'!. To put it in a nutshell don't bother wasting time and money going here, they obviously don't care about retaining customers. What a contrast to the excellent Oxo Tower we ate in a few days before - much more expensive but it was worth it for the excellent food and service.
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Rebecca
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, June 13, 2007

We went there a couple of weeks ago with a large group of 10. We had to wait for a few minutes to get a table, and, as eight of us were coming from another side of London, some of us were late. I've never seen waiters so pushy and impatient for us to order, even though we specifically said we would wait for all the company to arrive before doing so.

Finally, when the food came, it was pretty decent, but nothing to really write home about. I had about 7 pieces of ravioli on my plate.

When we were asked if we wished dessert, instead of bringing us a menu, the waiter simply stood over us, insisting that we simply order, rather than actually letting us choose from a menu! When he finally brought the menu he insisted that we hurrry up and order them as quickly as possible. Extremely irritating and rude! We'd barely finished our teas and coffees when a waitress slapped down the bill.

In short, overpriced, rude service, and mediocre food. Don't waste your money or your time in this place.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Friday, April 13, 2007

Pretty average I thought. The atmosphere was excellent (on a Sunday evening) but although the service was hardly growling, the waiters & waitresses looked pretty ambivalent. My spaghetti alla vongole was poor (several unopened clams). My mixed salad was pitiful (bitter lettuce leaves and one and a half small tomatoes). Wine was pretty drinkable though overpriced. Asked twice for a second helping of bread but it never appeared. Won't bother visiting again.
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Barry
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 4
Monday, February 12, 2007