Ristorante Semplice

Had plans to take a friend who has been travelling for many months to Ristorante Semplice for lunch to celebrate her return. Having failed to book, however, it seemed unlikely that we would get a table. Decided on cocktails at Claridges for pre lunch fun, and then attempted a walk in about 15 minutes before last orders. Met by a rather difficult receptionist who just shook her head when I asked if there was a chance of us eating. Seeing people paying their bills, I decided to persist (nicely of course), and lo-and-behold, a table was made available. Plain sailing from there on it - we started with some fantastic Italian sparkling wine made in the same way as Champagne from Lake Garda. Wonderful. Shared some Fassone beef carpaccio as a little pre starter. Wonderful. I had a risotto with white Alba truffles (its near the end of the season - I had to) after, which was superb. I followed with the rabbit, which I was told was a signature dish, and it was marvellous. I often worry about Italian restaurants having ridiculously large portions but this was just right - enough to leave me full but not bursting. No room for pudding so after we finished our wine - a delightful blend of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay (sounds bizarre I know, but try it - Terlaner Classico) - we decided to hit the shops for some Christmas shopping. A great experience - great staff (even the receptionist warmed to us), can't wait to go back
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 23, 2009

DISAPPOINTED. we are a couple of Italian passionates of luxury cuisine and especially service, and were very disappointed. We had to wait nearly half an hour despite booking with great advance. The good note is that they offered us a drink in the nearby affiliate with same name in the meantime.

we were then "accomodated" in a small table for two, quite small to keep more than two plates and two glasses, and people nearby were really close, with chair touching my back.

The real disappointment came afterwards, though. We ordered a very expensive red wine and were served in glasses. When we asked for a decanter, we were looked with great doubt, as if they had never used one before, and actually told us they usually don't serve wine (a red at around 70 pounds per bottle aged 9 years ) in a decanter!! The decanter they gave us was wet, as if just washed. Not acceptable in a restaurant that claims Michelin stars.

The pasta was awful, we were served paccheri ( a typical neapolitan pasta, which looks like rigatoni but 5 times the size) and they were so raw that they were sticking to my teeth and you could see the white raw material as you crunch them. Pasta is not supposed to be crunchy in Italy. When we asked to change the plate and have them cooked properly they said that the chef did not agree with more cooking as they would lose their shape.

My overall impression is that they keep their fame based on reviews of people who barely have an idea of what italian food should taste like.

The bill was overpriced and expensive as much as a Locanda Locatelli or another place like that.

I feel I have been conned with an expensive restaurant for unjudgemental tourists and will never go again.
Comment on this reader review

sara
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, July 17, 2009

I took my partner here for a birthday suprise on Saturday evening and we where both impressed with the night that we had. The service that the staff provided was faultless and the food was out of this world. I would definately recommend this restaurant and we will be returning to eat there again.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, March 15, 2009

My husband took me to Semplice for my birthday. He actually found the place by doing some online research. I was very impressed with the food. Understated, confident without the need of showing off, the food is prepared with a lot of pride and care. You can really notice that. I will definitely be going back.
Comment on this reader review

Sarah
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Just had dinner at Semplice - Nov. 9th - and all four in the party were mightily impressed with the quality of the food, the friendly service and the excellent wine list. It had been a long time since we had enjoyed a dinner so much and all of us have eaten at some of the best restaurants all over the world. Marco Torri, tjhe chef, will go far.

If you like top notch Italian food in a nice, warm atmosphere, served by attentive, smiling people, don't miss Semplice. A top notch dining experience.
Comment on this reader review

Sebastian Puigrefagut
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, November 10, 2007

This is one of the Italian restaurants in London with the greatest care for sourcing raw materials (including coffee). In my experience (I am Italian and I have tried almost all of them in London) it is in the top three as far as cuisine is concerned (the other two are the very top one, Latium, and Locanda Locatelli). So I find it simply unbelievable that dishes at Semplice included less than top notch, fresh and deftly prepared ingredients, as stated in some reviews below.
Comment on this reader review

marco
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, August 20, 2007

This is by far one of the best Italian restaurants in London. The pasta, in particular, is cooked to perfection with excellent fresh original ingredients. While some of the customers can be pretentious, due to its Mayfair location, the staff are unassuming, attentive and knowledgeable. Granted, it's not over flowing with atmosphere due to an ill-advised wall running through the middle of it - but the food is truly exceptional.
Comment on this reader review

Catriona Shannon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 10
Friday, July 13, 2007

A good place to take shelter from the rain this June (and the crowds in busy Oxford St /Bond St). Clean lines and bright décor are inviting, although the tables feel a bit crammed together.

Menus consist of an a la carte (starters £6-12) mains (£14-22) and a daily lunch menu (2 courses £15).

We did a quick lunchtime test drive of the menu: Mackerel with lambs lettuce on a minute portion of caponata…? Well ill be! Nice large Rigatoni tubes with tomatoes with a mild mushroom sauce. Mains tuna with rocket and tomato, beautifully seared and raw in the centre; Confit of duck. All well executed, a real joy.

Wine menu: great choices for the Italian aficionado…well…it’s an Italian restaurant. We chose the Verdicchio (£23) – excellent.

Water appeared expensive at £3.50 but then again…Espresso OK if lukewarm.

I would go back for shelter….
Comment on this reader review

WHWS
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Thursday, July 05, 2007

My wife and I ate here with another couple last Saturday night. This was to be a slightly more special occasion than usual, as both couples had recently had children, and this was our first proper night out since their arrivals.

We arrived first and found that our reserved table was right next to the entrance. We asked for, and were granted a table of our choice. We chose to sit by the enclave in the main room, which turned out to be perfect. Décor was formulaic, but tastefull.

On to the food. We all agreed that both the gnocchi and the ravioli were as good as any we’d had before. Cooked to perfection. Ample offerings of assorted and delicious homemade breads added to the starters. The only issue was the size of the portions; however that’s not really a factor when the product was so good. Up to this point the service was attentive and knowledgeable.

Mains we very good, though my sole was very small, in hindsight the ravioli as a main would have been preferable. The others had fish and pork, and thoroughly enjoyed the food.

Unfortunately the service decreased as the restaurant filled, and we ended p having to find our waiter to take our desert order. Deserts were excellent, however again the service was lacking when our desert wines failed to materialise.

All in all a very good evening and in all likelihood we will be back. Bill incl 2 antipastos, 4 starters, 4 mains, 3 deserts and 2 bottles of white (£24 p/bottle), came to £190 incl service.
Comment on this reader review

J & Dee
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Thursday, May 31, 2007

I eat in a lot of restaurants, and this one has done what no other has achieved in the last five years- totally put me off without even eating there! I saw a nice review in a newspaper a couple of weeks back and called them late Saturday morning for an immediate reservation. Strangely I get a response a bit like ringing someone's call centre, about their "reservations desk "being closed right now and that they take reservations only for the next month.. The messages went on to indicate that the restaurant opens on a Saturday lunchtime, but the invited call to the front desk resulted in no answer.

Surprised, but reassured by the opening hours on their answerphone, we walked a half-hour to Blenheim Street. Closed. No explanation. Just closed.

There is a lot of competition for restaurants in London. You don't have to eat anywhere where they just decide not to open despite their stated hours; where the phone isn't answered and where they make the process of reservation about as enjoyable as a chat with the customer services division of your bank. The chef here might be great- I don't know and chances are I'll never find out- but it seems these people have a lot to learn about running a business that involves motivating customers.

The numbers in the voting panel are there because the site insists on it. They obviously do not reflect the qualities of a restaurant that I have , despite my best efforts, not managed to eat in.
Comment on this reader review

David Henderson
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, April 25, 2007