Clos Maggiore

I and friends dine at Maggiore very regularly - up to once a fortnight . We are such loyal customers because we are always extremely impressed by the superb quality of the dishes you serve and by the excellent service. Indeed, I had my 60th birthday dinner at Maggiore.

However, on our last two visits (October 2010),we have noticed that the usual first-class running of the restaurant and attention to diners is not what it was. Two or three weeks ago, we and others were kept waiting quite a while for our tables while the staff had a meeting in the restaurant which went on well beyond your opening time. Afterwards, the waiting staff appeared, for the first time ever, to be quite hassled. They were as courteous as ever but there was quite a lot of confusion about our order - both the wine and the food There seemed to be a new manager present who had had quite a seriously unsettling effect on the smooth running of operations.

When we next wanted to reserve a table,the usually helpful and efficient receptonist was not there; instead we had to deal with man who made much of how busy the restaurant was before grudgingly accepting our booking. We were surprised on arriving to discover that the entire staff appeared to have been replaced. The new staff were extremely professional though they still seem to be finding their feet.

Something seems to be going wrong at Maggiore - whcih is a great pity as we have always rated the place very highly as a rare haven of good food and service in Covent Garden.
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8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Saturday, October 23, 2010

I took the other half there last night (Tuesday) for an early evening pre-theatre bite to eat, before whisking her off to see War Horse (fantastic!), as a birthday treat. We found the place to be very well run, with friendly, attentive staff, with a warm relaxed atmosphere. We had the set price 2 course meal with a bottle of very good white house Roussillon. I definitely scored some brownie points last night, and we shall be returning to go al a carte in the near future.
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Watt-O - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Distinctly average on food, atmosphere and service. Rushed from the moment we got in, such is the need for this restaurant to turn tables and cash in. If you want your meal to last a good couple of hours, this won't be the place.

Expensive for what it is and understandable to see why it has no michellin star.
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4 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Friday, October 01, 2010

we paid 300 pounds for two and that was just too much for this type of place. wine dear as well. good service but cramped quarters
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maria lucia
5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Went here last night for our wedding anniversary and had one of the best meals ever. We only booked about 2 weeks ago and I had emailed to request a table in the conservatory on Monday but didn't hear back. On arrival I explained that I had emailed and would it be possible to sit in the conservatory and was told probably not as it's so popular and the restaurant was full that night. I had no issues with this as it was a fairly late request, but was delighted when we were shown to our table after a having drink in the waiting area and we were in the conservatory after all.

This is a perfect setting for a quiet, romantic evening and we went on to have a faultess meal. As it was a special occasion we chose the tasting menu and accompanying wines and the food and service were both beautiful. The presentation and quality of the food was delicious and the service was attentive but not intrusive. We knew we were required to finish by 9.30 and having arrived at 7 this was plenty of time and evening was well paced and not rushed, allowing us to savour the experience.

Not cheap at £250 for the tasting menu and wines plus a couple of extra drinks to start with but very good value for money. Not somewhere we can afford to go to regularly but I had high expectations for this special evening and felt that Clos Maggiores really lived up to that.
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, September 19, 2010

it was ok if you really don't know French food but unfortunately I spend a lot of time in France eating. this place is on a par with a normal place you would get in the centre of a provincial French village as regards fantasy and interesting plates.

We went through the list and paid over the top. Our wine cost 50 pounds and not worth it and was worth about 30 (as regards mark up). In conclusion you'll be satisfied if your expectations are not high. Im just glad I was there working for a food magazine . The service was O.K and the setting lovely if a bit cramped. I'd say only go for the 19.50 set meal which is fine. Don't order wine unless you know what its worth.
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gary
6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Friday, September 17, 2010

We had a la carte menu this time,everything was superb from start to finish.

Cannot fault the service and certainly not the food.

thanks to all
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10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 10, 2010

My husband and I dined here for our 2nd anniversary. This place is special to us as we dined here the night we got engaged. It's good to see that 2 1/2 years on that the place still has excellent food, service and ambience....plus the fact that we're still married!

Once again we dined in the conservatory, which is always a good choice. The fixed menu (either 3 courses for £19.95 or 2 courses and 1/2 bottle of wine for £24.95) was excellent value and once again the food was of a high standard.

A week before our anniverasry I had said that I didn't want to dine at Clos Maggoire again because I had such a wonderful evening on our first visit, that I wouldn't want to go back and have my sentimental view of the place ruined. I can't say this visit was any better...nor any worse. Just different - but in a good way!

Thank you Clos Maggoire for making another celebration very special without breaking the bank!
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Niss
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 06, 2010

Went to clos maggiore for the first time on Thurs 2nd Sept for our wedding anniversary and absolutely loved the place.

We had a 9.30 booking and arrived a little early, so were given seats in the waiting area and had our drinks and some really tasty breadsticks whilst perusing the menus.

We decided to go for the tasting menu, paired with accompanying wines for £90.

Our table was in the conservatory area (which I think is in a different league compared to the outer seating area) and the service throughout was attentive without being over fussy or too fast.

All the courses were amazing, from the scallops to start, right through to the chocolate dessert. The only minor niggle with the food for me was the dessert (a sort of fondant/mousse) was a little too frozen when served, although it quickly melted and tasted absolutely delicious.

The sommelier was informative and answered my very basic questions with ease.

I've had paired tasting menus previously where the wine is served almost as a 'taste' but the glasses poured here were extremely generous and all matched the food perfectly.

The bill came to £250, which included pre dinner drinks and coffee and liqueurs and I would happily pay the same again tomorrow for such a brilliant dining experience
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Mark Smith - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, September 04, 2010

I enjoyed another superb prix-fixe lunch here at the weekend (my third at CM), having booked the three courses for 19.50 offer through this site.

The quality and presentation of the food was again outstanding. Neither I nor my guest could fault any of our dishes. Every course was delicious but my desert - the cheesecake with fresh berries - was particularly superb, and I am not a big dessert fan.

The resaurant was bustling with a very pleasant, relaxed Sunday brunch atmosphere. Service was again prompt, polite and efficient - neither overly familiar, nor overly formal.

With a bottle of decent £40 Italian white, our bill came to £110 for 2 including coffees and service. For the quality of the food and the overall dining experience, I continue to think this is one of the best value lunches available in London. I look forward to returning.
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9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 31, 2010