Jamie's Italian (Covent Garden)

I went here with my mum and boyfriend last night as a birthday treat for my mum. The food was amazing and the service once we got a table was fantastic. However, we waited for one hour and fifteen minutes for a table after initially being told we would be waiting for no longer than 45 minutes. My boyfriend had to go up to the girl on the reception desk twice to make sure they hadn't forgotten about us. The food is great and from that point of view I recommend it, however they need to sort out the walk in table allocation system as we saw many people who walked in after us sit down at tables before us. Although it's a great restaurant the wait time for a table left a sour taste in my mouth.
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7 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, October 05, 2011

I came to this place by chance... And what a disappointment! Service very slow, and unhappy to serve people... I asked for a wild truffle risotto, i can't express how uncooked it was... My girlfriend for a pasta, and again too raw.... Send it back all of it straight away! What a bad chef in the kitchen. Please don't come here!
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Claudio
3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Sunday, July 24, 2011

A friend and I had lunch there one Saturday in June. The atmosphere was excellent as was the food. We were served by a really pleasant knowledgable waitress Tabitha who could not do enough for us. We were there for quite a long time and there was no rush to get us to leave .When the bill arrived it was much less than I expected. I told some more friends about it and we are all going for lunch in July. I am really looking forward to it.
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Patricia Heaton
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, July 04, 2011

I went to Jamie's in Covent Garden on Sunday the 19th at 2 pm. I was told at the door that there was a 45 minutes wait for a table for 2. I then went for a walk as my 4 years old was not too happy about waiting for that long in the queue and when I returned to the restaurant 30 minutes later I was pleased to find out that my table was ready. The waiter who served us was really nice and as soon as we sat down he told us what specials they had on offer. I decided to eat pasta as it is made fresh on site and I really liked it. For dessert we had the pannacotta which was nice and fresh but in my opinion the dessert section needs to be improved a bit. I really liked the atmosphere and I would reccomend this restaurant to other people.
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Paula - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Went there with great expectation, especially from constantly seeing a long queue outside all the time. It was a great disappointment. I have some sort of salami for starter and all I got was slices of salami, no salad or anything else, just plain slices of salami. Main course was scallop with squid ink spaghetti. There were only a few tiny scallops. Spaghetti was a bit too salty and the worst thing was they stick together. I won't go on the dessert and wine...

Service was fine, so was the atmosphere, but they cannot make up the disappointing quality of the food. I would rather spend my money (mostly less of it) to a not so famous Italian restaurant nearby. I like watching Jamie's food programmes, but I don't think the food there was anything like it.
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Kevin
4 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Monday, May 30, 2011

Firstly, let me say that I admire Mr. Oliver and his way with food. Secondly, let me say that I am Italian and know my way around an Italian kitchen (and food). We are from Australia and decided that after 4 wonderful weeks in the beautiful UK that on the evening of the Royal Wedding and the evening before we flew home, that it would be a lovely idea to track down Jamie's "Italian" Restaurant at Covent Garden ..... the only bad decision we made in 4 weeks !!!!!!!!!!

After the waitress dropped a bottle of olive oil over me (she was very nice but ...) our food was brought out. The pasta was so undercooked it was like eating sticks and the dish itself (rabbit) was tender but tasteless. My wife and daughter too were most disappointed with their meals on the basis of taste and overall quality. The table next to us appeared to be experiencing similar reactions to their dishes.

I totally agree with a previous reviewer who suggested that it was about as Italian as "bangers and mash".

Jamie .. JAMIE ... peel your name off the wall and run. Run hard, run fast and don't look back. This alleged "Italian Restaurant" is an embarrassment (well it would be to me).
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Serafino Giuseppe Rao
3 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, May 17, 2011

I’m proberly the biggest fan of Jamie Oliver, i have all his books and do all the cooking in the house from his recipes of which my family thoroughly enjoy.

So when we was last in London Easter weekend a few weeks ago and my Mrs got us in at Jamie’s in Covent Garden I was over moon.

Then it all went downhill Mate Jamie what a load of rubbish. Really disappointed menu was boring the food was the blandest I have ever tasted in my life, and the service was just awful. I can go on and on but I’ve got too much respect for the guy sort it out man or take ya name off the wall it’s doing you no favours. It’s about Italian as English banger.
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Paul
5 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Crispy squid was not crispy but very very oily and chewy. The mayo sauce that accompanied was ok. The rice stuffed deep fried balls were mediocre, and so was the tomato sauce served alongside with it. The pasta starter was filled ravioli with mushroom, crispy sage in a tomato sauce and probably the highlight of the night. We then ordered the feather steak which was tasty, and the pear salad with parma ham. The salad was also very good if not too oily as well. We also had a green salad, nice lettuce but again too much sauce. We finished off with icecream (very nice chocolate, salty caramel and cherry) and the lemon curd which was tasty. Bill came up to £60 without wine or beer. Overall ok quality in a nice atmosphere. Service was ok. Starters were a big dissapointment and very overpriced. The mains were reasonable and tasty. If happened to be in the area is ok, but there're better italian options in London for half the money.
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6 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, April 13, 2011

I ordered the risotto, when it turned up there were only 5 pieces, after complaining i was told there should have been 8 and whilst i was only charged for a starter i left the restaurant feeling hungry. My partner ordered a burger this did not include chips i feel this was not value for money. I often visit london and have yet to find a nice restaurant that is reasonably priced and serves up great food. I am a huge fan of Mr Oliver i had high expectations and was very disappointing with both the food and service.
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mr pie
4 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 1
Friday, April 08, 2011

I was pleasantly surprised dining here with 3 friends.

The olives are the best I've had anywhere and the meat plank platters went down well with everyone. Good selection of breads too.

I had the lamb lollipops for main which sound odd but were really juicy and tasty, though I'd leave the nut dips they come with.

The wines were reasonably priced - as was the whole meal. All the staff were attentive, knowledgeable and very friendly.

It's not what you'd call authentic Italian cuisine, but makes for a fun, tasty meal in a buzzy place with decent food.
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Hopey - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, January 18, 2011