Pane Vino

Excellent food but service that makes Basil Fawlty look professional.

Can't be bothered to give it a third chance.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Thursday, May 04, 2006

Our experience of this restaurant was amazing, and it seems that if anything, one grumpy waitress, recently employed there, has managed to ruin the evening for a number of your other reviewers.

Last July, my parents were over visiting from Australia, and we just squeaked in for a late sitting on a Thursday evening. Initially, I was told over the phone that they were booked solid, but the person I spoke to made the effort to try to accommodate us.

We arrived and the place was absolutely packed and quite noisy - yes, our meals took some to arrive, but given the number of patrons this was hardly surprising. Our "waiter" turned out to be the manager, so maybe the service we got was a little more top-notch than usual, but we were very grateful for his suggestions regarding starters and the wine list.

Starters were rocket and shaved parmesan salad with a beautiful rich balsamic, and grilled calamari that melted in the mouth (according to my husband and my father). Mains were just as good, and the sorbet we ordered at the end of the night was as good as any I've had in Italy.

We were among the last to leave, and the manager, rather than try to shoo us out, had an animated and pleasant chat with my father before we left.

I am taking my husband back there again tonight, so hopefully Miss Grumpy-bum waitress won't be working.....
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Valerie
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, April 24, 2006

In the past, we've had some pleasant meals there but have not been back as we had to wait 1 hr and 3 quarters for a main course!
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G
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 4
Sunday, March 26, 2006

Like other reviewers, I thought the food very good but the service so bad I wouldn't consider coming back here. I was the first to arrive in my group and the waitress decided to move me from the table we had originally been assigned to a draughty one by the door. It then took five attempts to order an aperitif. Service was grumpy throughout, our starters were mixed up, our glasses were dirty and when we tried to order a second, identical bottle of wine the waitress brought a different one. As a final touch, the waitress initially insisted that we pay with one card only (as if we would only go to a restaurant if a single person were paying)- despite the fact that we were paying £50 per head. It was only when I said we'd better have separate bills in that case that she gave in - with extremely bad grace. I live locally to the restaurant but my two companions had travelled up from suburban south London especially, which was embarassing. Given that Pane Vino must be the most expensive restaurant in Kentish Town, you would think they would work a bit on the service - nobody's coming here for a 'Wong Ki' experience.
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Kate - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, March 14, 2006

We came here for our Valentines day and left feeling deflated and uninspired after our meal. We would have gladly overlooked the less annoying details (poor ambiance, cramped seating etc) if the food had redeemed itself. The starter of calamari was tasty enough but I have had just as good at my favourite dim sum (for less than half the price). My companion mildly enjoyed his dried beef carpaccio. We followed with linguine served with a sauce of bottarga and garlic which did not take me to the shores of Sardina but to some bizzare taste experiment creation of undercooked spaghetti with sticky dried egg yolk. It was like insipid, luke warm, salty water and I wanted to spit it out. My companion opted for the rabbit which again was okay, nothing to get excited about, not sure if it was worth killing the rabbit for either. "A bit dry" he said. We wisely left the dessert menu alone and ordered a coffee which was the only time my companions face showed any emotive response to the food....but it was one of mild disgust. All that for 50 quid. Pane Vino - not worth the effort to even eat it.
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Lisa Frize
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, February 14, 2006

We ate at Pane Vino this weekend. Food, like last time, was faultless. But the service has really made me question whether we will be back. On arriving, the place was empty except for one couple at the back. We were shown to our table, directly in front of a noisy (and later, overly fragrant) kitchen - when I asked if we could sit by the window instead, I was told very defensively how the restaurant was solidly booked for the next couple of weeks. Why that meant she couldn't have swapped our table for another that night, I've no idea. The other waitress working that night was possibly the most miserable I've ever encountered - I can only assume she was doing them a 'favour' and helping out for the night. Not once did she show a semblance of a smile, and her service was just generally poor - a request for a Kir Royale was met with the blankest of looks and then 'no'; a whiskey and coke was served in a brandy glass. Yes, the food's great, but then it is in lots of Italian restaurants in London who have the service to match, so I'd rather give them my money instead.
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whipped - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Monday, January 30, 2006