Gran Paradiso

Sorely disappointed by this restaurant that promises nice Italian food.

The food was adequate but considering the price (around £30 per person for starter and main) you may expect more.

What was really disappointing was the terrible service we received. Not only were the servers incredibly rude but when we raised it as an issue rather than apologise they continued to argue back.

It was very disappointing that what would have been a pleasant mid-week meal was spoiled by rude and surly service.
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May
2 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Monday, October 10, 2011

Was part of a party of four there last night. Went with some trepidation after reading some reviews on here, but overall was pleasantly surprised.

Pate to start was nice, with very nice toasted bread to complement it. Beautifully cooked lamb cutlets as a main dish. Couldn't fault the food on either taste or size of portions.

Two gripes from me ; firstly, at the prices being charged they really shouldn't be separately charging up to £4 for a portion of vegetables.

Secondly, the general tardiness of service. It took them twenty minutes to even take the order, and when we wanted to pay and leave, again they showed little urgency. You would have thought being so close to a main railway station they would appreciate people are often looking to catch a train and get a move on.

Overall though I enjoyed it, though I'm not sure I'd go again. At the prices charged, there are far better restaurants literally down the road.
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Robert Whittaker
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Saturday, March 26, 2011

i had lunch with a business associate here earlier this week. quite an old restaurant in seventies styly, however, very friendly and fast service. the food was good but not fantastic, i had mushroo/truffle penne and my friend had calves liver followed by nice fresh fruit and sorbet. all in all very good but not as great as it apparently used to be. that being said scored highly on service. excellent.
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dinner64 - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Well from outside it looks great but as soon as you walk in its like stepping back in time. This place is so dated, the crab I set next to was so dusty!

Anyway we waited 45 minutes for one prawn cocktail, which to be far was ok, not great. then the mains came, well paying £16 on average for a main is expensive, so paying extras for the veg and potatoes was a joke. Mine was so chicken with mushrooms and was so salty, I could not eat it. Nobody approached us during the meal , so when they came to take the plates I explained the food was awful. No sorry , nothing. When the bill came the lady said yes it was wrong and took it off the bill.

Dated, miserable staff, and awful food AVOID.

Nandos across the road is better!
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Lady Smith
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, November 20, 2010

I agree with Jessica. This restaurant is my default for business entertaining and some occasions with close friends. The food is consistently good and the Patrone and his staff most welcoming. The prices are consistent with the quality, especially for central London. I always leave with a smile on my face from enjoying this sllgtly dowdy (and charming) but fulfilling restaurant.
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Lester
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, November 18, 2010

I went to Gran Paradiso last week to celebrate my grandson's 17th Birthday as well as my daughter in law's Birthday. I heard they are "good" on mushroom dishes (owner has written a book on mushrooms) We all loved the place and the food and shall return ,no doubt about that!!

The owner was present throughout as well as his charming wife...they 've had the restaurant for 40 years and of all the Italian restaurants here and in Venice, I loved this one the most!
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Irena Michalowska
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, October 29, 2010

It was a special occasion for my wife and me so we ventured on to Wilton Road from our nearby hotel looking for a restaurant to start the evening off with a fine meal. As we came across the Gran Paradiso we looked at the menu displayed outside and as lovers of Italian food we made our way to the front door which was locked. I assumed this was due to the earlier England football match. The staff eventually noticed that we were trying to get in and unlocked the door for us. Not a good start.

On being seated we were as usual offered a bread roll which we accepted and went on to choose our meal. The starters were very high quality and to the standard we were use too. Then came the main meal we both opted for a steak £16 each and vegetables at £3.50 per portion. The steaks were very small to say the least and having paid for vegetables I was less than impressed with the quality and quantity. This was to be the main meal but it was woeful.

The overall service was not that good as we felt throughout the staff were waiting for us to vacate our table so that they could get the next customers in. for all this we paid £85.20 which broken down I believe should have been closer to £70.00 including service charge.

The bill - B&B £2.00. Starters £14.00, Main £32.00, Veg £7.00, Sweets    £11.00, Drinks £11.50, Service £7.70

Whilst we will be visiting London again we definitely will not be going to Gran Paradiso avoid at all cost.
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Tony Lungrin
6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 0
Sunday, June 27, 2010

I called in advance to book a table for 14 people at a quiet time (5.45pm-7pm). I was told this was ok.

The evening started off on a sour note, as the managers approached us and started to severely tell me off for asking if I could pay for the drinks seperately. From that moment on, even though they were apparently 'very busy upstairs' the managers hovered around our table, making us feel extremely unwanted and uncomfortable.

The food was amazing though, and the waiters were fine, it was just the fowl attitude of the managers that means I will NEVER be setting foot in that place again.

They even tried to charge me service charge after treating us so badly! They said 'you have to pay it in a place like this, this isn't Nandos' - I wish I HAD gone to Nandos after all! In the end the manager called me 'offensive' for refusing to pay the service charge.

So if you want to go for a pre-theatre dinner I don't suggest this one! Try queuing at Prezzo or something...
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3 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 5
Monday, March 22, 2010