Risto Restaurant

Went to Risto today for a Mother's Day lunch (Pizza Express and Nando's were both too full to accommodate us). Pretty soon found that there was a valid reason for this place's empty covers on a traditional day for eating lunch out: Risto's service is abysmally slow, and the staff just don't care. The food is the same quality as Sodexo's (a pretty decent caterer for schools, offices, etc). What it is NOT is excellent Italian cooking. All three of us had different main courses, but all had the same gravy served with it, for instance - it was clear from its uniform consistency and lack of speckles, meat bits, etc that it was out of a packet. Fair enough down the pub ladled over a £5 roast, but shocking for a set meal that cost nearly £20 for a prawn cocktail, a TINY roast, and a pudding which was so slow (think 2 hours after we first ordered) that we gave up before it arrived, paid and left.

Noticed that a table seated just after we started putting our coats on was given the usual basket of bread and oil to nibble on: we weren't though. Shame, as it would have filled in the 40 minute wait for our prawn cocktail and tomato penne starters quite nicely. Oh, and the wall next to where I was sitting was absolutely COVERED in stains, splashes and so on from previous diners. Grim, non?

We shall never, ever, be going back to this atrocious place. They should be ashamed of themselves.
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Edda
3 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Sunday, March 14, 2010

I have been here many times and plan to go again soon for my Birthday. Every time the hospitality is fantastic and the food is delicious, perfectly cooked and good value. I would particularly recommend the lemon sole which was the best I have ever eaten! I cannot recommend this establishment highly enough.
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Oliver
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, February 09, 2010

My family and I spent a fantastic Christmas Day (2009) at Risto. As always, the staff were wonderful, accommodating and the food was superb. The menu provided was perfect; a good selection for those who wanted traditional Christmas fare and those (like me) who might want a vegetarian option. Certainly going to be doing this again in the future.
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Alex Webb
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 30, 2009

well i have been to this restaurant with my girlfriend around 6 or 7 times and i would never complain about it. the staff are very polite and helpfull. the food is naturaly delicious and its a great place to eat and well worth the charge they give you. it has a quiet but smooth atmosphere that makes you feel welcomed. i disagree with some of these comments. keep up the good work RISTO!!
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sexyLui - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

I love this restaurant! I am really surprised by some of these negative reviews. The atmosphere is really intimate and on the three occasions I have been there the service has always been very positive, warm and friendly. The food is slightly more expensive but well worth it.
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8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Friday, October 23, 2009

am actually very surprised by these reviews - have been there twice, one just the two of us and once as a large group, both times the food and the service were both excellent. The mushroom risotto was particularly nice.

I thought £10.50 for two courses was a pretty good deal too.
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Ursula
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Friday, July 10, 2009

Very average meal, wine & service for more than we wanted to spend. Nothing was great, but nothing was bad either - I'd rather go to Pizza Express or Ask where at least I know what I will get plus they do good specials.

My Mum's meal was lukewarm and my Father was wedged in behind another diner who wouldn't move his chair in - it seemed cramped, but there weren't that many people in there - I'm surprised they seated the other couple so close to us when there were so many empty tables! (perhaps reserved but no-one had come in by the time we left)

Shame - I'd been told by an aquaintance that they rated this restaurant but sadly after having been there I dont!
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Justin Bradman
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Thursday, July 09, 2009

good food
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eleni - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 24, 2009