Scalini

Cramped, noisy, dated food and decor, astronomical prices: just why do the well-heeled residents of Knightsbridge and South Kensington continue to pack out this Italian institution night after night, year after year? Lobster and avocado comprised tasty if slightly chewy lobster meat, perfectly okay avocado, celery and retro Marie Rose sauce. It was fine, but was it worth more than £16?? A main of skate wing with beurre noisette was a generously proportioned, well-cooked piece of fish, althought the burnt butter didn't taste of much and the capers had no punch. The accompanying vegetables were a sad affair, comprising slightly overdone French beans, bog-standard broccoli and crunch-free roast potatoes. As for the pud, a slightly mean portion of Cassata was not an ice cream to make an ex-pat Italian weep with nostalgia. As for the wine list, you need a stiff drink to get over the shock of the prices! If you enjoy shouting yourself hoarse, squeezing in to let other diners get past and paying a fortune for the kind of food we thought was great 25 years ago, this is the place for you.
Comment on this reader review

William Burrell
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Sunday, August 24, 2008

Food totally sublime - prawns, veal and chocolate mousse all mouth watering and service very good.
Comment on this reader review

Louise Moore
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, August 04, 2008

Pretty good, but nothing to rave about, Cecconi's and the Chip do a lot more 'flash' for similar money, Latium and Locanda do better food, and Sardo and Riccardo's do better authenticity. The place is scarily similar to Signor Sassi actually...

I had carpaccio as a main course, and was persuaded that that would not be enough so also ordered a half of the Ravioli, which ended up being too much...

Others eating with me had prawns, turbot, spaghetti lobster, and penne with tuna. Which I tried, the Prawns were good, other than that, none of these dishes were anything to rave about. As for the Carpaccio and Ravioli, both were good but really nothing to rave about, the Carpaccio at Cecconi's is miles better.

The array of bruschetta, breads etc. presented without us ordering any such, at the beginning of the meal were impressive. That hardly makes up for par food though.

Simple and good, if it's local I can see why you'd go there, but when you're traveling from Mayfair spending this kind of money, you may as well be in Mayfair than wannabe-ville Chelsea, and still get better food closer to home.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Just returned from a weekend stay in London and chose to eat at Scalini's after it being recommended by a cabbie friend of mine and must say we really enjoyed "most"of the experience! Unfortunately we were sat next to the loudest people in the restaurant who really did spoil what was a lovely meal.Thankfully they arrived about half an hour after us so we did get a little while to take in the fantastic ambience!The food was as good as we've had in London although a touch pricey and the waiters were friendly and attentive.

We will definitely visit again but hope to avoid the loud couple,beware a noisy re head!!
Comment on this reader review

Paul
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, June 01, 2008

I agree with the majority of poor reviews recorded about this restaurant. I went last Thursday evening with a group of 8 work colleagues. The food is nothing special and over-priced. The service was extremely poor. We were crammed into a small table where we could barely move to eat our food. I also complained about a "cold" bottle of red wine that was served and was snubbed by the waiter who said there was nothing wrong with "cold" red wine. We will definately not be going back again. It's a shame I heard that this restaurant used to be nice.
View/Add comments (1)

Anthony Smith
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Thursday, April 24, 2008

I went and had dinner last night there. As always the food was exellent but the service was very disapointing. I booked a table at 10 and when I got there they didnt sit me down until 10.45!!!which I think is unacceptable.
Comment on this reader review

Amy Greadde
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Sunday, April 06, 2008

Nice cosy Italian with very nice food. The service is extremely unprofessional, borderlining on rude though and the value for money is really bad. Prices are exorbitant, even considering the location!

Paying around 18 pounds for a pasta dish is just plain daylight robbery!
Comment on this reader review

Nathalie
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Monday, March 31, 2008

What a great Italian I can see why all of the stars that have their photos on the walls went. Great food great servive the manager is excellent unfortunatly he's a Chelsea fan and showed it with his Chelsea badge Chelsea pen and Chelsea socks!! The food was beautiful not the best I've ever had but certainly up there. The wine list is fantastic. It's a little pricey but perfect for a special night out.
Comment on this reader review

Muttipj - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Monday, January 21, 2008

I went to Scalini a few days ago, and the food was OK, but not worth the price and nothing special at all. I have had far better Italian meals in London.

But the worst thing is the bad acoustics! The noise was almost unbearable and we could hardly hear each other’s voices across the table and we were only three people! I think that is one of the worst features for a restaurant, as you go there to socialize and talk to your friends/family. I would recommend Scalini to fix this. I was so tired in my head when we left, as was my mum and boyfriend.

Another strange thing was that the waiter tried to keep our receipt after we paid by card. He only wanted to give us the slip from the card payment. And when I pointed it out he said, ‘But you have already got the slip, you don’t need the receipt’. That’s up to me, I guess/
View/Add comments (1)

Marianne
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Monday, September 03, 2007

I had been invitited from a guy I have met recently for our second date - I have to say that I have been so impresed by service and by the staff. The food was amazing and the atmosphere too. I will definitely come back with him.......
Comment on this reader review

Alena Nekvapilova
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 19, 2007