Caffe Caldesi

poor service , very unfriendly waiter and slow. food nothing special but expensive. looks like the owner is living off his z-list celebrity status.
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yvegeny
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Italian food has always been a firm favourite of mine, mainly because the italians use fresh, simple food packed full of flavour. So after many visits to some very disappointing so-called 'Italian restaurants' feigning to produce real Italian cuisine I had such a pleasant surprise after having discovered the really authentic Italian fare at Caffe' Caldesi. I went for an early dinner there with a friend after work last week and was bowled over not just by the lovely relaxed atmosphere but also by the food. My friend and I went for the classic antipasti platter to share as a starter and were pleased to see a carefully chosen array of Italian cheeses and cold meats served on a very rustic looking slab of wood - we'd got off to a good start! As a pasta fiend I was in heaven when I tucked into a bowl of handmade light-as-air gnocchi for my second course. We were going to be good and skip dessert but in the end we opted to share the 'classic caldesi tiramisu' which was light, fluffy and so creamy it left a smile on my face for the rest of the evening. Highly recommended!!
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Olivia
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, June 19, 2008

Caffe' Caldesi is one of the few places in London that serves Italian food that actually tastes and looks like food in Italian restaurant and does not charge you a pretentious 80£ per head for that.

I had pasta with goose that matched my mother's standards for lunch and spottless service on a business dinner.

If you look for authentic Italian in a not-so-formal setting, for me Caldesi remains one of the safests bets.
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barbara
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, January 31, 2008

My wife and I ate from the bar menu, she had a large starter of goats cheese salad andI had the tuscan sausages with lentils. Both were absoluetly fine - especially the salad made from a good cheese that perfectly complemeted the salad ingredients. Puddings were OK with a heavy relaince on poncey tuile baskets. The service was spot on, friendly and jokey and attentive. It was a bit pricvey but what do you expect if you are within spitting distance ofOxford Street?
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Paul Knight
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Sunday, December 09, 2007

Used to eat here a lot. Went on saturday with my kids and a friend, i was met with an unfriendly chap. Had to ask for high chair. Thought Italians were kid friendly, maybe not.

Food was good but expensive. Didnt cater for children. I asked for a kids menu - no. I then asked if they could do me a small bowl of pasta - a grudging yes.

Overall, food ok, service c**p, friendliness zero, child catering zero....
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David James
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Friday, November 30, 2007

I ventured here last night...mmmmmm....they are having a laugh on the left handside of the menu...with what actually actually arrives on your plate...the portions are tiny....and as for the right handside of the menu is far too steep....the staff are ok...quite in your face....but that is probably more to do with the management......the food was ok..no more than that...it should have been half the price....it was packed with wealthy russians which may explain the prices......never again.
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Andy
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Friday, August 10, 2007

There is a serious discrepancy between the cost and the quality of the food served up at Caffe Caldesi. My partner and I dropped in for diner on Saturday night. The food (in my case lamb shank @ £18) was more representative of what I would expect from a Chef & Brewer chain. My partner was convinced the mash tasted more like 'Smash'. Maybe a suitable candidate for Ramsey's Kitchen Nightmares. Avoid. ps. Note to CC staff - a smile goes a long way.
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Gannet - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Monday, February 05, 2007

Went twice - should have learnt the first time. My Partner is from Tuscany and he was appalled at what they consider to be Tuscan food. The waiter said to him that some people had said to the restaurant that it was better than eating in a restaurant in Tuscany.

I would not want to print my partner's reply.
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richard McGlade
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, January 16, 2007

I used to go frequently as it was good value for decent italian food. However, lately it is very pricey for what you get and the wine way too expensive- I have had to send the tagliatelle with porcini back !the lsagne has now gone "anglofied" with a dreadful bechamel sauce- ghastly!Its a pity because the atmosphere can be great- service is bad - expensive go to the Caldesi restaurant. Shamer really keep this up they will need to close.
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Gino Rocco
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Thursday, December 07, 2006

I'm afraid I agree with most of the other reviewers. This place used to be great value for money, and, thanks to that and the buzzy atmosphere, I went there a lot. However, they've hiked the prices up and they are now way too high for what you get.
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L Knight
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Monday, November 20, 2006