The Giaconda Dining Room

I had been meaning to visit GDR since its early days. I even had a booking cancelled due to the chef breaking his arm. It had rather slipped off my radar but, fortunately, not that of my other half who took us here for our anniversary.

The space is tight and certainly not glam. The toilets are hidden under the adjacent building down a strange corridor. I didn't think the creme brulee was the best I have ever tasted despite being the size of a small plate. But there were very few downsides to this place.

The food was tasty, well presented and generous. I enjoyed the succulence of both the pigs' trotters and the veal. My other half couldn't finish her vast, but delicious, pate. Our waiter advised her on taking a starter portion of crab spaghetti which was wise. Desserts were big and comforting.

This is quality French-influenced comfort food at still reasonable prices. The service is personal and the menu interesting enough to inspire repeat visits. It has succeeded and deserves to continue to. I hope the tourist hoardes continue to frequent the Angus Steak House on Charing Cross Road...
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Matt - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, August 03, 2011

Went to the Giaconda Dining Room last night with my husband and had a wonderful evening. Everything was perfect from the booking in the morning to the wonderful staff and of course the chef. We had a amazing meal and would recommend this little gem to anyone who loves and appreciates really good food. Thank you again for making a lovely evening. Will be back soon.
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DEBBIE
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, June 12, 2011

Have been to Giaconda on a number of occasions with work for lunch and it is always fantastic. Cosy room with simple decor. The food is always fantastic especially the steak tartare. Very good value as well and delicious wine selection. It is a hidden gem!!!
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ed bradley
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 29, 2011

I cant say any more than all the reviewers below.

We had a fabulous meal here last Saturday night. Everything was fantastic, food, service & atmosphere. For the quality of the food etc... the bill was cheap.

Highly recommended!!!
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Raj - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, October 02, 2010

I rarely write reviews but feel compelled to do so for Giaconda because it is so superlative - I have lived in London for nearly eight years, am a dedicated foodie and in my humble opinion Giaconda is the best value-for-money gem of a restaurant in London at present.

The food is spectacularly good. Most recent visit included starters of: Field-mushrooms roasted with garlic and herbs, the most delicate truffle salad, where the truffles are sliced wafer thin and laid on a beautiful bed of greens and the largest, most delicious steamed Globe artichoke. Mains included: Lamb blanquette, tender lamb shoulder cooked in a French style individual pot with white beans, potatoes and creamy herb-laden sauce, a delicious piece of cod offset beautifully with cooked radicchio and a Dover sole cooked with a tangy accompaniment of cauliflower and capers. The portions are generous and it is truly remarkable they turn out food this good, with such high-quality ingredients, at such a reasonable price point. None of us had offal but if it is to your taste, there were a number of interesting choices on the varied menu: calves liver, ox tongue and cooked tripe among them..

The wine list is unpretentious but excellent. The room is tiny - seats 32 - but has a pleasant atmosphere that is comfortable more than elegant, but it suits the experience. The service was excellent - the chef answered several questions and the waitress noticed when my mother was near the "choke" of her artichoke, offered to take it back and have the kitchen prepare the heart which they did in 60 seconds, a nice and thoughtful touch.

It is a great place to have dinner with friends and an excellent choice for pre-theater dinner with a first seating at 6pm.. Cannot recommend this place highly enough!
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JLP - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 11, 2010

I just love this restaurant and would like to go back endlessly. The wine list is also great, including the Basque fizzy wine (sorry, "slightly effervescent") and the Faugeres and .... Actually, it is not that cheap at all but, even so, I just wish it was open on Saturdays and Sundays. Also I like the "vegetarian menu" on the web site.
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miranda escobedo - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Saturday, January 09, 2010

I went to Giaconda Dinning Room on the 13th August and had the most wonderful meal also the staff were fantastic nothing was too much bother and as soon as we were in the restaurant they were very professional i could not fault this lovely restaurant, it was such a lovely evening and will be visiting on a regular basis and would recommend this place to anybody who appreciates fantastic food the only down side is that it does not open at weekends.
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DEBBIE
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 14, 2009

Just had an excellent lunch at this tucked away restaurant off Charing Cross Road. The restaurant is nothing to look at from the outside, or for that matter, the inside, but the food was no-nonsense fresh and wholesome with a good choice of both meat and fresh fish. Presentation is basic, but the lightness of the touch in the kitchen and the freshness of the ingredients take a lot of beating at many of London's more expensive and flashy restaurants. Wine list was varied and the service enthusiastic and knowledgeable and the prices very reasonable. Would I come back - yes. Would I recommend - definitely yes.
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Paul Slight
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, June 08, 2009

A gastronomic food gem, tucked away in a restaurant no man's land. Simply divine.

Knew what to expect from the reviews and postings on here, the cramped space, the competitive prices, the qualtity of the food - and i completely agree. Even though was marking a special occasion decided to forgo the stylish showpiece restaurants with their designed interiors and wanted the occasion to be focussed on the quality of the food.

Struggled at first to decide what to have, not helped by the hunger pangs and felt sheepish in asking for some tips. Full marks to the very helpful waitress who whilst juggling her other tables talked through the menu and obviously shared a passion for the dishes. Having read about the signature dishes, and because of her personal reccomendation, we opted for the pig's trotters which i am glad i tried but something my delicate palate will leave in future for other folks enjoyment and those fond of nose to tail eating. Their presentation and style couldn't be faulted, even though i couldn't convince my stomach that this this the darn best trotter's in town. Lamb and Eton mess to follow were more to my conservative palate and simple but effecttive. The extensive wine list offered a good range on terms of pricing but with the good prices for the food, couldn't help but push the booze boat out and opt for a pricier bottle. We also started off with a bottle of fino to wash down our starters, which made a nice change.

The intimate surroundings defintely made the dining experience all the more enjoyable, even for marking a special occasion. Will be coming back for seconds and hopefully will not have to queue to get in when the the masses cotton on to this place.
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Foodie
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, May 17, 2009