L'Anima

I decided to write this after seeing a large number of negative reviews.

A friend and I went when it was very quiet, mid week and just after Christmas.

I had the aged beef served on the bone marrow served with mash potato. I must say this dish (their signature dish) was absolutely delightful. I will certainly travel back to this restaurant for that dish again.

The ambiance and design of the restaurant is perfect modern and clean.

You must try this dish.
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Matthew Armstrong
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 07, 2012

Had drink at bar here - buzzy place with bright modern feel. However comes at a very high price - 6 cocktails and a plate of calamari nearly £100. To add insult to injury they include a service charge (which didn't seem to be optional). I am sorry - we were served at a bar so I don't see why any service charge is necessary. The calamari was delicious and the cocktails well made, but this place is a rip off.
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5 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Friday, September 16, 2011

absolutely shocking service, when I asked them to bring plates so we could share they never came, when I asked them to clear the table i had to ask 3x, I can't think the last time I had such appalling service apart from Wong Kei, at 1/4 the price.

I complained to the maitre d' and he promised to call me and follow up - never heard a word.

Food was reasonable but my god the service was so awful that I couldn't even eat and enjoy. My clients I was entertaining also noticed which was rubbish for business since I chose the restaurant. AVOID AVOID AVOID.
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Alicia W
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, July 14, 2011

The main of beef came lukewarm and when we challenged it was met with the response that it could be warmed up. Not good enough at £30 a time and poor service from staff. Would expect this service in a fast food joint

not a top restaurant. Won't be going backl
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Flo
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 7
Saturday, March 26, 2011

Don't bother if you know what good Italian food is when it's at home.

Nice welcome at the door, charming. Large pile of the chef's book, interesting. Smart bar, plenty of buzz, patchy service, good drinks.

The warning bells started when the chef was in the bar. Call me old fashioned but the chef should be in the kitchen, not chatting in the bar and going home early. As we all know: you can't be in two places at once!

Dinner? Well, the wine/drinks were all great. The starters were quite good. The main course - what a disaster! And the chef is to blame. It had all been assembled too early - mine didn't look very good and the the other three diners' dishes looked even worse. Mine was disgusting - and the accompanying vegetables were unspeakable.

The service then fell apart and we were hassled to have coffee before we had even ordered our deserts - the waiter was particularly persistent and what a pest he was.

I had cheese and no dessert. It was supermarket quality. One of my colleagues had a good chocolate dessert - I can't remember about the other two at the table - I'd given up by then.

I wouldn't go back and would not recommend it. A restaurant is about a lot of things - and food and good service are the most important - this restaurant failed on both.

I didn't complain, I was a guest - had I been paying the bill I would have insisted on having the chef called back to take a look at his kitchen's handiwork....

What a disgrace!
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Mike
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Monday, November 15, 2010

saw the restaurant featured in a documentary on michelin star ratings. saw images of the dining room on the web site. all very impressed before reservations were made.

the interior is light, minimal and very well executed, the onxy bar a work of art (bar stools a bit clunky).

staff - friendly and unassuming, made you feel welcomed.

i very much wanted to have a "top 10 meal" meal experience. well....not quite top 10, but a most enjoyable meal nonetheless with accommodating staff in a serene yet thoroughly modern setting. will return after their expansion this summer to explore the menu further.
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mike - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Sunday, September 05, 2010

I loved it here :) good food, really cool interior and nice service.
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Sunny - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, April 15, 2010

Went for dinner - a first visit but certainly not the last. Fantastic food - the stracci was delicious, the pork succulent with crisp crackling and the risotto was deliciously creamy. The extensive wine list has some reasonably priced wines from the less popular regions. The service, as commented on by others, is friendly and on the ball but not too attentive. The bar is noisy - but this is better than somewhere so quiet you feel constrained to whisper. The restaurant is quieter but still has a buzz. The space itself is modern and open - some will like it (we did) and others will hate it. However the food is so good it overcomes any reservations.

Pity about the reviews which take the populist line that the clientele consists mainly of 'City prats'. I don't work in that type of business but find those who take this view to be unattractive bigots who on examination haven't a clue what they are talking about. Try getting to know some of the 'prats' - you will probably be pleasantly surprised and will undoubtedly learn something.
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Neil Austin
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, November 19, 2009

Went for lunch, was very nice, food excellent, very nice poussin dish.

Wine was also very good. Only thing is the place is very noisy - prepare to shout a lot.
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Terry Bye
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 15, 2009

I know it's expensive but I did not begrudge paying out one single penny as the food was simply fantastic. Service attentive but not over-bearing. Nice buzzy atmosphere; great wine but the star is the food - just heavenly
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TF
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, October 10, 2009