Carpaccio

Ate at Carpaccio last night with my partner. Avoided the crowds by dining mid-week, so while I can see that it would feel crowded when all tables were full our evening was fine. Shared two starters: fried zucchini (courgette) sticks were lightly breaded and not greasy, a nice surprise. The second starter was a ball of VERY fresh buffalo mozzarella. Would have liked it if the tomatoes were garden-fresh v/s greenhouse, but not bad for Feb in London. Mains were a daily special canneloni with crab and langoustine, two approx 8-inch long canneloni with a light bechamel-type sauce. My partner is particular about his food, and he REALLY liked this dish. Note that the filling was proper seafood, not fillers with a dash of seafood. I had the tagilata di manzo (filet of beef, thinly sliced) which was perfectly medium rare, with a rocket and cherry tomato salad. I literally was able to cut the beef with my fork, and it had excellent flavour. We both got a glass of Montepulciano wine, which was also good. Dessert was shared panna cotta, which was made with real vanilla and not too much sugar. Service was great, food was great, price was high though. I would love to go back often, but could not afford the bill more than a couple of special nights per year (anniversary/birthday type of thing).
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Melinda
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

If you want somewhere quiet you can take your granny to, or a place where your plate will be loaded up with pounds of meat and sauce, then this is not it. But if you like a buzz as well as very good authentic Italian food and you don't mind paying £50 a head for a good evening out, then you should give it a go.

This is a lively, cosmopolitan restaurant with tasty food, terrific wines and if you get talking to Guido, the owner, it is fascinating to be informed who's in there at the same time as you.

I had beef carpaccio followed by Osso Bucco both of which were delicious. It's not the best Italian restaurant in London but neither is it many of the things it described as here in these reviews. Give it a try.
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Jim
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, November 02, 2007

I had a friend who told me Carpaccios was a neighborhood place for him. I immediately responded with, I've read terrible things about it. I went with him last Saturday. I feel bad for the disgruntled people because my food and service was great. Maybe because he is a regular. But that only accounts for good service. I had the Scallop Carpaccio and it was, as an amuse bouche should be, just the right size to whet the appetite and perfectly seasoned. Followed by the Duck Ravioli, my companion had Veal Milanese, both were heavenly. The ravioli was delicate and flavourful, something I was wary of because ravioli can become all about the sauce and the filling can be an after thought. Not here, and the broth was a perfect accompaniment. I tasted his veal and it was delicate, tender and cooked to perfection. Still waiting for the proverbial shoe to drop, it didn't. Yes, the dining room is crowded, yes, its noisy, but would you rather be in a dining room where you can hear a pin drop? I liked the buzz. The staff couldn't have been any nicer and frankly after being really unimpressed by Cipriani's I thought it was lovely. But hey if you want gigantic American on-my-way-to-obeisity-heart-attack size portions, this isn't the place. It is place thats gotten a bad rep. Go have a Bellini and people watch, thats London!
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ladivalex
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Friday, October 12, 2007

The Best reteraunt ever the food is the best its a bit of a wait anyway best ever!
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Alessio
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 07, 2007

The only issue I have with Carpaccio is the seating...sardines spring to mind. It is totally obscene, it is such a shame because other than that I love it. The food, the people, the service, the atmosphere, although a little loud at times. I dont think you are allowed to complain about price in a place like carpaccio after all half the people in there are only there to be seen!
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EJ - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Very expensive for wahat you have, food great and typical Italian restaurant... people going there to see the crazy atmosphere !! Noise and smoking are terrible BUT still always fully fully booked !! So if you are alone and you want to see people any day of the year.. this is the place !! Believe me you always see good looking women.
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Nicholas
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, December 05, 2006

I was very disappointed with Carpaccio. While the waitress was polite and attentive, the portions were laughably small and the food mediocre at best. My "exotic mushroom risotto" was filled with a measly sprinkling of bog standard button mushrooms, plus the portion was tiny. My friends didn't fare any better. I certainly wouldn't waste my money here again... I'll have to agree with another reviewer, the "regulars" here must have too much money and very little sense... AVOID!!!!
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Stuart Fisk
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, August 16, 2006

This restaurant is a prime example of "too much money to waste" in London - people who are willing to pay over-the-odds for food. Carpaccio is LUDICROUSLY overpriced. Having spent most of my life in Italy, I must say that the food is u p to scratch but having to cough up GBP11 for starters and GBP16 for mains is beyond the pale - especially given the mean portion sizes. We were a group of five. I started with baked tagliolini verdi with ham and cheese followed by tagliata di manzo. The pasta was good (although they were not "verdi" but just plain pasta) and, to be honest, I was glad that the portion was that small because it's a heavy dish. By comparison, however, one of my dining companions ordered tuna carpaccio and was served 4 (yes, FOUR) paper-thin slices of tuna measuring approx 5cm x 10cm - and charged GBP11! Next up, the tagliata: this was again delicious but GBP16 for 3 thin (0.5cm) rounds of beef filet sprinkled with a few rocket leaves and cherry-tomato halves is madly steep. In addition to a starter and main course each, the five of us shared three desserts, one bottle of wine and two bottles of water. The bill came up to GBP50 per head which is really not worth it. Prices notwithstanding, the restaurant was packed to the rafters - "packed" in the literal sense as we were virtually sharing tables with other parties. The service is friendly if hurried. If you've got money to burn (and not a huge appetite) then go here as the food *IS* good. Otherwise, your money is definitely better spent elsewhere. Well done to the owner who has managed to pull this off - he is definitely laughing his way to the bank...
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LT
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Friday, February 10, 2006

- Overpriced: portions are very small and expensive (we spent 45£ each and left the place hungry!)

- Noisy: The tables are too close to eachother and it's even hard to hear the person sitting in front of you

Unfriendly service: the waiters were in a rush and I had the feeling I had to leave quickly.

The food is good, but there's many other really good Italian restaurants in town. I am not going back.
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CG
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Monday, January 30, 2006

DO NOT GO!!!Simply competing with the worst restaurants in the world. And if you ever find yourself in a situation where you are forced into it don't even dare order the specials which have a 500% premium ABOVE average price on the menu. Have never ever been so dissapointed in my life.
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catherine
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Saturday, December 10, 2005