Carluccio's (South Kensington)

With this place you know what you get. Food wasnt WOW but ok for what you pay.

Service was surprisingly good & prompt.

And they do cater so well for families eg kids menu, colouring pencils, I can see why they are full but I'd avoid if you havent got kids- v noisy!
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7 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Sunday, March 31, 2013

I have always been a big fan of Carluccio's and find it dependable for good quality, good value food. Although the cafe-style decor and the bustle may not be to everyone's taste,

I find this atmosphere quite authentic; not dissimilar to that I have experienced in Italy.

I will say as a chain they appear to be cramming more people than ever into their restaurants. The wait to be seated gets longer and the tables seem to get closer together.

I would say the food has maybe suffered slightly, my favourite dish the chicken escalope (Pollo Milanese) for example has become increasingly dry to the point I would not order it again. However, with such an extensive menu there are always plenty of other options, such as the beautifully rich braised vension ravioli; another old favourite of mine, or the gloriously indlugent chicken liver pate. And they still do a good job with the staples, so if you like your penne arrabiatta or a plain old lasagne I'm sure you won't be disappopinted.

But now for the big negative - the service. It was always woefully slow to the point I often found myself ordering 3 courses at the same time.

But now with the hikes in capacity it is really hitting fever pitch and at least they should try to compensate. I would say the problem is endemic within the chain, as I have witnessed this at many branches.

However, I do think this branch in particular takes the biscotti.

We waited for nearly 5 minutes before the attendant even looked at us; he was running around like a headless chicken. There was no attemplt to form a queue at any point.

We waited 20 minutes to be seated, which was longer than promised, and couples arriving after us were being seated.

So we finally took the bull by the horns and made oursleves prominent, by placing ourselves in the spot the attendant wandered across most often. It was something of a free for all and quite undignified.

When we were seated we noted a nicer spot by the window, left untouched amidst the chaos. It seemed harmless enough to move along one table.

My word, that was a mistake! We were rapidly pursued by an angry woman who could scarcely disguise her contempt and in an adrenalin-fuelled frenzy she demanded we move 'back to where we were put'. She was so rude (borderline aggressive) she immediately looked a little embarassed; I think she had surprised even herself!

There was no reserve sign; in years it is the first I've heard of such a policy. I am absolutely convinced I would be unable to reserve a seat by the window. I gather this was some 'special' treatment. But to speak to us like that!

We didn't feel so special. For the first time in years I barely enjoyed my Braised Vension.

The woman was of course the manager, so I couldn't make a complaint even if I had plucked up the courage...

I will return to Carluccio's and I recommend the chain in terms of value and overall quality, but I will not come back to this branch under this management.

I give 2 stars for service because despite working under extreme duress, I think our waitress did well and we left her a good tip.
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Noel
6 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 11, 2012

I had bacon and eggs with coffee there for breakfast recently, and it was pretty good. A bit noisy, the tables too small and close together, the chairs not that comfortable, but the staff were good and the location is easy.

A perfectly fair price, too, for what I ate. I will go again, now that poor Dino's has disappeared.
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James - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, July 06, 2011

Terrible terrible restaurant! What a huge disappointment. As a group of 4 we had a good selection of food and not 1 dish was nice! My frita mista consisted of a few stringy calamari which tasted more like onion rings, a few fried prawns and a handful of whitebait, not even a salad leaf and for £11!!! Waiters tried hard but it wasn't enough to salvage the awful food! Will never go here again!
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Jon
3 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Sunday, October 31, 2010