Princi

It's hard to get a seat and the staff are beautiful, dozy types but the pizza is the best I've had in my life. And I've been to New York, and all over Italy and Sicily and everything!
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8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Friday, March 22, 2013

I love eating Princi's food, it is delicious! But yes- it is always TOO busy and over crowded in there, you have to be lucky to get a seat.

It's atmosphere is like a bar, It's pretty noisy, though layout something between a cafe and a restaurant. You have to order food like at mcdonalds- order and take to a table (if you can get one) yourself. For the price it is at (like £4.50 for a cake) I would expect a bit better service. And yes, typically italian attitude. Some are pretty rude though others are nicer.

But the thing that lures me back is definitely the fresh food, delicious cakes, and lovely drinks, no doubt about it. The place is very nicely designed- I especially like the indoor water fountain sort of thing, it makes it feel even more fresh. The savoury dinners are lovely, and the pizzas look amazing though I haven't tried any of them yet :)
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Lillian
6 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Saturday, March 02, 2013

When Princi opened in Wardour Street the concept was one that appealed to me. Two large counters filled to bursting point with freshly made food, including: a mixed bag of continental desserts and patisseries, salads, just out of the oven artisan breads and hot Italian staples: lasagne, gnocchi and the like.

What’s more it’s supported by Alan Yau. Surely this concept could not fail?

Well when you employ staff who are so obnoxious it makes my head hurt and bakers that believe the main ingredient for bread making is salt the waters become a little murkier.

It was just satisfactory when I first went years ago but on a return (and certainly my last) visit with the Friend (f) I encountered ineptitude of perplexing proportions.

The food counter appears to act as a portal to a parallel universe. On one side customers are bunched together trying desperately to order, on the other waiters and waitresses glare moodily past you as if all they can see is tumbleweed sauntering by. My exacerbation levels rose as myself and others tried to get a waiter’s attention, he pointedly ignored us; too busy preening himself in the shadows. The friend pointing to a focaccia asks what the topping is, ‘vegetables’ comes the curt reply.

Then if you’re lucky to find a seat, this being the sort of place where a request for a diner to move her Mulberry handbag from a free seat will be met with a rolling eyes and tutting, the food is the next to disappoint.

The gnocchi was far too creamy and way too stodgy, which for something already so carb heavy is an achievement. The focaccia was baked with enough salt to preserve it for a hundred years; mine was topped with some salty, salty parma ham and a slither of cheese. The desserts (we had tiramisu this time) let’s be honest are pedestrian, masquerading by presentation as gourmet. The dessert chef believing that just adding more cream is the way to reverse himself out of a culinary cul-de-sac.

If you want tasty pizza pop over to the affable guys at Pizza Pilgrims on Berwick Street or for inventive, professionally made desserts head to Yauatcha; what’s more over the road Gail’s Bakery offers a variety of well-presented breads. Better yet if you want to experience authentic Italian tastes head to Italy!

Ultimately with horrendous service and mediocre food Princi is basically redundant.
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Herr Funk - View all reviews by this user
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Sunday, December 09, 2012

This is a fantastic authentic italian which provides amazing foods, that are to die for. The service is quite typicaly Italian so you have to appreciate that if going as does not conform to the typical english 'queuing' system. its lovely to watch foods being freshly prepared by those who clearly care about what they are doing, and is a perfect stop... cleanliness is on the money, and sourondings provide a lovley place to mill with friends or stop on your own for a snack..... I go every time i have to come to london ... amazing,
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buttercup - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, October 19, 2011

I sometimes go for lunch since the food is good even though quite pricey (small slices of pizzas and portions of food). They should set up a 'queue here line" because some people do not seem or just don't care about other people queueing and waiting time can go up to 20-30 min. which is not acceptable in a lunch break! I tried to explain my and other clients' frustration to the manager...but he didn't pay attention and ignore us!

I wouldn't recommend it just because they don't really care about customers and not willling to improve themselves!
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Mary
3 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, August 10, 2011

Rude, smug, arrogant inattentive staff. When I asked what was in something, they spoke with such an accent and looked annoyed when I couldn't understand them over the noise. The food looks good but tastes bland. Go down the road to L'Eto few doors down. Service always with a smile and tastes better all round.
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1 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, May 21, 2011

Love love love, just wish it wasnt so expensive for take away (£7-8 per dish and no cheaper than to eat in) for a lunch so I could eat it everyday! Aubergine parmigiana is to die for.
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Gospodja - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Thursday, May 12, 2011

We dropped by last night and thought it was brilliant, I will definately be returning at the earliest opportunity! They serve a huge range of baked goods that include some seriously delicious cakes and sandwiches. They also do amazing coffees and alcohol too (beers, wines, cocktails too I think). The way its laid out makes it easy to drop by (if you're not with a huge party as they can get very busy) without forward planning and just have a drink and a bite to eat. The service is deli/cafe style and is quick and efficient, and I wouldn't expect anything more for the prices. We had some coffees and huge slice of cake and some bits of bread and it all came to 8 or 9 pounds. We had just had a horrendous experience at Bar Shu and this really made up for the night. The interiors are also quite high spec and the toilets are nice, although there are only two. All in all a great experience!
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MS
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, March 19, 2011

It was a cold busy saturday evening, we happened to pass by Princi and stopped by to look through the window a wood fire oven and that made us more curious!

after we hoped in, we realised we were in an authentic Italian restaurant. An array of displayed food.. and just baked maefile made us really hungry and we had to have a try. Aubergine parmegiana and maefile were our choice. 1st bite and it jus melted in mouth..for a moment I thought ' wow thats the best thing ever I had'!

yeah! I couldnt help but appreciate every single bite and I recommend every single Londoner to visit Princi for real authentic Italian food.[ I am planning very very soon] .Its worth every single penny and even the 10min wait trying to look for a seat.try to avoid rush hours for a better experience. buona giornata!
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Dr. Mina
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, January 31, 2011

The food here is always beautifully presented (and the store attractively designed) but on the whole it is overpriced and surprisingly bland. In the sweet section there are many more misses than hits. Paul the patisserie chain is in my opinion superior and less expensive (France beats Italy when it comes to sweet, baked things, in my opinion). The savoury section is simple, fresh and also over-priced.

The smugness and slowness of the staff is really something to behold - especially when 3 of them separately choose to ignore a customer who they know has been waiting. A tip for this situation is not to show your frustration or annoyance as this would simply add to their satisfaction whereas a smile and a 'Thank you' seems to annoy them greatly.

Perhaps it is all a ploy to make their food taste better since you are so grateful to finally receive it? All I know is if you want a fantastic, unpretentious gourmet deli from people who understand food, go to Fernandez and Wells. These guys are just playing.
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Londoner - View all reviews by this user
3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, November 16, 2010