Il Fornello

I decided to visit Il Fornello after reading the generally positive reviews on this website.

I don't like to be negative about every aspect of a restaurant as it makes me look unreasonable however on this occasion I have little choice. There was absolutely no atmosphere despite it being a Saturday night and at least half full. The service was clumsy and when we ordered the wine we were told that we couldn't have the bottle we had selected from the menu as they didn't have a licence, however they could go out and get one (I'm still not sure how they could serve wine at all if they didn't have a licence).

This would all have been forgivable if the food had been good, unfortunately it was not. The pasta was undercooked (and I don't been mean al dente), the tomato sauce had no seasoning, the chicken conversely was seriously overcooked and dry. The pizzas were ok - the bases appeared shop bought and were a little stodgy, the cheese was quite tasteless although they compensated by generous toppings - not worth the £9.95 price tag.

When the waiter collected the dishes we were not asked how the food was (possibly the virtually untouched pasta gave him the idea) so I volunteered the information only for him to respond with a grumpy, "what's wrong with the food?" as he was walking away even though i'd just told him exactly what was wrong (see comments above). There was no apology or offer to reduce the bill.

As I was with my mother and we would have been late for an exhibition at the British Museum I didn't have time to call the manager over, though if I had been just with my partner/ had more time I would have refused to pay for the pasta.

Overall a very disappointing experience. If an Italian cannot even get pasta right then it is a wonder they are still in business.
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Suzanne
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 1
Sunday, February 10, 2008

I have been going to Il Fornello for a few years now, and whenever anyone comes to visit me I make a point of taking them there! The steaks are the best in England in my opinion (and I'm from New York and have been to many steakhouses in my lifetime). The meat is fresh and delicious, there are large portions and it is cooked perfectly. However, I don't usually go for the steak, as the pasta is fantastic! I have never had a bad meal there. I do agree that the presentation of the food is not fancy, and the side dishes are not fantastic, but when it really counts it is absolutely delicious. The gnocchi are so light, they melt in your mouth, and are a perfect combination with the rich gorgonzola sauce. The side dishes with the meat/fish entrees are not fantastic, but if you want the best steak around, go here, if you want a mediocre steak with fantastic side dishes, this may not be the place for you. The pasta or pizza dishes don't have sides, and are also delicious. The waiters are unintrusive and friendly, but it can sometimes be difficult to get their attention as a result, however there's a relaxed, homey atmosphere, and it is generally where I go when I want a special night out. The wine is also delicious and reasonably priced. This is always the first restaurant I mention when asked for a recommendation.
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Elizabeth
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Thursday, February 07, 2008

I read a couple of reviews about this restaurant on this site & so booked a table for lunch with high expectations which, unfortunately, were not met.

The first courses were very small. I had some bruschetta served on a bed of 'English', round lettuce leaves which were limp & unappetising. My wife's antipasto misto was more like a selection of insipid hams which lacked variety or imagination & accompanied by some bland olives.

The saltimbocca (veal dish) arrived in a gelatinous, overpowering sauce with a feeble attempt at sauteed potatoes on the side. The side vegetables were uninspired & overcooked.

My pasta (spaghetti) dish was not even up to school dinner standard having an unpleasant flavoured bolognaise sauce.

We avoided the desert trolley as it appeared to feature the previous night's leftovers!

Overall, I would say the staff rely on tourist trade (v.close to British Museum) knowing they won't be making a return visit anyway.
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Howard Edwards
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, December 04, 2007

Ate here early one wekday evening. The place was almost empty at that time so no atmosphere (not thier fault though)

Food was certainly tasty and decent quality, but nothing that special. Service was very friendly and relaxed.

All in all, decent value, decent food.....but nothing exciting.
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DGL:
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, October 12, 2007

This is a great restaurant. I live outside London but make a point of eating here every time I visit. Discovered this palce nearly 20+ years ago and it hasn't changed a bit over that time- excellent food, great service and a genuine Italian family atmosphere. The pasta is great and the house wine is very good and excellent value. The stuffed mushroom starter is fantastic! The only thing that has changed in the last 20 years is I and the waiters have got a bit greyer and fatter! Now my daughter is in university in London and she (and her friends) are eating here also. I can't praise it highly enough - excellent food and great value. A genuine Italian restaurant.
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S Rogers
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 26, 2007

My friend and I went here for lunch. The atmosphere is very Italian and the waiter's were very friendly. We weren't that hungry, so we had bruschetta to start and asked could we share a pizza. The bruschetta was nice although it was only on french stick. The pizza came on two plates with the slices arranged - I thought this was nice as it saved us splitting the pizza ourselves. As in other people's reviews it seems that they are very willing here to cater for your needs. I would like to go back and try a meal next time.
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A. Callaghan
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, August 19, 2007

I regularly visit this restaurant as my daughter is a patient of the nearby Great Ormond Street Hospital. We usually have little time for lunch and have to fit it in between appointments, but we always make time to visit this fantastic restaurant. They are very accomodating; one time I commented that we were in a hurry because of an appointment and they brought the meal out very quickly - although they are usually extremely quick anyway, food takes about 10 minutes to be served. I simply cannot think of a word that does their food justice - it is delicious. My daughter has commented that it is the best restaurant she has ever been to and I do not disagree! (She is 14 so old enough to know what she is talking about!) I have had various dishes and they are all amazing and my daughter always has the same thing - tagliatelle napoletana. It is not even a dish on the menu, it is listed as spaghetti napoletana, but they had no issue adapting it for her. We both have a pasta dish usually accompanied by a delicious salad with a fantastic dressing - just the right amount of dressing so that it does not overpower the salad. We have also had garlic bread a few times - which tastes like proper garlic bread, not the yucky supermarket stuff. I once had soup, which again was extraordinarily lovely. If eating pasta, the waiters bring parmesan and black pepper and ask if you would like any. The staff are fantastic, they even rember my daughter's dish and ask whether we are alright and take an interest in us. The desserts are similarly scrumptious and I have never eaten any bad food in here, in fact I have never eaten anything that was not superb. The atmosphere is amazing, there are postcards on the walls which are great to look at and there are many italian customers - proving that Il Fornello is brilliant. It is always busy and this surely shows that Il Fornello is a nice palce to eat. One postcard was sent from the mayor and comments on the delicious meal that he had. The staff are friendly and welcoming and also understanding, the food is overwhelmingly delicious, the atmosphere is nice and the prices are certainly not expensive. In fact, considering the outstanding emals, staff and atmosphere, I think Il Fornello is remarkably good value. I would certainly suggest that if you are ever in London, you should go out of your way to eat here. I feel lucky to have discovered this charming place - we ate in many local restaurants befor discovering Il Fornello but have eaten only there since we discovered it. We would never even consider looking elsewhere, other places simply cannot live up to it. Anyone who tells you that Il Fornello is expensive, or that the food is not nice, or that the staff are not friendly is talking utter rubbish. Days at the hospital can be a nightmare but we always have our lunch to look forward to. Thanks to Il Fornello, that is.
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Mrs Weston
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 09, 2007

Service was efficient. Atmosphere pleasant and the food quite good but a touch over priced for what it was. I'd go there again but not be as keen as some of the other reviewers.
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Jeremy
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Saturday, December 30, 2006

This is my favorit. Always good service, value for money and delicious meals as Italian food should be: Simple and rich of flavours and taste. The wines are good as well. The atmosphere is really Italian. Only compliments to the staff.
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René
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, November 29, 2006

Earlier this year I ate at Il Fornello, not for the first time. Yet again I found the service quick, efficient and understanding. I asked for a table out of the general melee and got one immediately, and requested time to look at my newspaper for twenty minutes before being served with my starter. The staff complied with my wishes to the letter. The food was excellent, the service impeccable, and the price perfectly reasonable.
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John Davies
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 16, 2006