Clos Maggiore

This restaurant is simply beautiful, all burnished wood and polished glasses reflecting the flickering log fire burning in the fireplace, its a wonderful backdrop to some majorly delicious food and wine. We had the seasonal tasting menu and despite waiting for half an hour for our first course, the rest of dinner went at much more reasonable pace. We did have some freshly baked breadsticks to nibble on whilst we were waiting, served with two dips, a tapenade and a goats cheese with truffle oil, and a some parmesan foccacia, but we didn't want to be too full to enjoy the six courses we were eagerly awaiting. Everything was absolutely scrumptious, from the duck, to the cheeses to the warm chocolate fondant with black cherry sorbet, but if pressed to choose, our favourite course was the cod on angels hair pasta with a delectable creamy seafood veloute with mussels, topped with concasse tomatoes and chorizo, unbelievably good. Cheerful and approachable staff, our wine waiter in particular was excellent at advising us on a superb bottle of red which went happily with almost everything on the tasting menu, and there are a lot of wines to choose from! A fantastic evening and not too much of an eye watering bill, we will be back soon.
Comment on this reader review

Christina Caballero
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 06, 2012

I ate here a few evenings ago as part of a table of six. The food was fabulous...our starters included crab with marjoram and apple jelly which was gorgeous. Mains were venison with chestnuts (v tasty though a bit mean on veg), lamb to share, roasted wild turbot, and halibut. The puddings were scrummy - especially the apple gratin with oat biscuit and rosemary ice-cream. Service throughout was terrific - friendly and efficient but non-smarmy.
Comment on this reader review

Victoria
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, December 16, 2011

Have been in the restaurant many times and every time I start loving it more and more. Great staff, amazing food, unforgettable experience! I would definitely recommend it t everyone - very suitable for romantic occasions, or family get togethers!
Comment on this reader review

10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, November 18, 2011

I have eaten here several times and the food and service can't be faulted. However if you think you have booked a table in their conservatory it is best to get that confirmed by email otherwise you may well end up with a denial on arrival and being parked in the corridor by the bar, as we were last time we visited - more transparency by the reservation staff would be appreciated. Incidentally, they offer a prix fixe menu at lunch which seems very good value until you realise one of the three mains has a £5.00 supplement, which rather defeats the object.
Comment on this reader review

Kieran Stevens - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Saturday, August 13, 2011

This was our second visit to Clos Maggiore, and it was even better than our first. The food is just dazzling. We had Duck confit and veal for starters, and shared the cote de boeuf for mains, and it was all just superb. The waiting staff were omnipresent, helpful but never intrusive, and the atmosphere everything you could want for an anniversary dinner. The wine recommended to us was spot on, and a perfect accompaniment to our food. Apart from the culinary fascists I can't imagine why people would not love this place. We will so be going back.
Comment on this reader review

Andrew Lale - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Friday, August 05, 2011

Crab starters were adequate. Main and I hold my hands up for mis-ordering here, but the milk fed lamb made me heave, there was no texture at all; we expressed our thoughts and i then felt the service was a bit frosty. shame
View/Add comments (1)

ecr - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Saturday, May 14, 2011

My girlfriend took me here last night for my birthday. Lucky me! The second time we have been to Clos Maggiore. She had stipulated a table in the conservatory which I strongly recommend. Otherwise you're paying the same price for much less nice surroundings.

Had a fantastic time - as good as the first. Took the vegetarian and seasonal tasting menu with matching wines (hic). Loved it - fantastic food and wine.

Probably my favourite restaurant in london.
Comment on this reader review

Tom
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, February 16, 2011

I dined here with 7 other friends to celebrate my engagement in Dec 2010. This was my fourth visit to Clos Maggiore and, once again, it was excellent. Due to the size of our party we weren't able to sit in the beautiful conservatory (it's always worth asking for this when you book your table) but our booth near the bar was lovely, and very intimate.

We all ate from the set lunch menu, the food was fantastic and the whole thing including wine, champagne, service and lunch for 8 came to less than £500. I have never been disappointed on a visit to Clos Maggiore and it remains one of my favourite London restaurants.

The only criticism I would level on this visit, was that my fiance had been enthusing to our guests that this was one of the few places in London where you could get a proper black russian - so he was slightly dismayed when his drink arrived and it was a dirty black russian (topped with coke) rather than the beautiful espresso bean topped cocktail he is normally served.

However I think if that's all you can find to complain about - then it's still a pretty good experience!
Comment on this reader review

NJD - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 15, 2011

I returned to the UK in November for the first time in 2 years and wanted an intimate restaurant near to the Opera House. I chose Clos Maggiore from the web and I was not disappointed.

From the moment we arrived to the time of departure the whole experience was outstanding. We were immediately offered a drink of champagne and then given time to settle. Our order was taken without fuss or rush and the Somellier was on hand to assist with the choice of wine.

I note one of your reviewers complained about the duck. My companion also selected duck but does not like rare meat. The standard at Clos Maggiore is medium rare and when reuested if it could be cooked a little longer there was no problem and the duck was perfect.

The service was impeccable and we niether felt rushed nor hassled by the staff. Indeed, when choosing a dessert we wanted a few minutes break and the waitress therefore gave us open menus with the instruction to close them when we were ready. This we did and the waitress immediately came for our order.

My companion also drinks chilled sherry and was pleasantly surprised when imformed that a variety of chilled sherries was available for an after dinner drink'

I would recommend Clos Maggiore to anybody and when I return to the UK again will without fail book a table.
Comment on this reader review

George Davie
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, December 21, 2010

I was disappointed. We booked a month in advance as a special treat for my partner and I. We were sat on a the corner table next to the bar. My seat wouldn't fit in to the table straight as it hit the side of the bar and was very uncomfortable, and at one point, some water from the ice bucket splashed on my head. I saw twinkling lights in the space at the back. I guess that was the bit that gave this restaurant the reputation of being "the most romantic restaurant in London". I would have thought booking a month in advance for a table for two on a Tuesday night would have granted us a table there but alas no. The service was extremely slow and the food was very average for the price. We'd really been looking forward to it so it was a real shame. If I were to go again I would ask to be sat in the "romantic" area, but with so many other good restaurants in London I won't be returning here.
Comment on this reader review

3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Thursday, December 16, 2010