Costa's Grill

In today's Notting Hill Costa's Grill is looking and feeling tired, it could be wonderful nestled in-between the pastel coloured houses of Hillgate village, but instead it delivers an experience that many won't have seen since the 70s. A tired menu full of Greek stock staples, all of which on the occasion I went with friends were served without care or attention to ingredients or presentation.

The food had no soul, but then neither did the staff who were slow to take orders, too quick to deliver food and to slow to bring the bill, leaving you with the odd impression while eating that they were keen to turn covers, but at all other times in the (mainly empty) restaurant that you might never be able to get out.

In comparison to other Notting Hill establishments the wine list, food, decor and staff are all poor. I won't be going back, especially not with two stunning restaurants virtually opposite Costa's and a vast array more just around the corner on Notting Hill Gate. It's seen it's glory days; it now needs to capture them again or die.
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Neil Evans - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Good Food, Cheap and loads of atmosphere, will be going back soon.
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Warren Guest
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, August 15, 2007

I hope this review wins the bottle of champagne because I need something to take the nasty taste left in my mouth by our experience tonight.

The vine garden was nice in the warm summer night, but not nice enough to make up for limp dull grilled sardines, dry pallid chicken kebabs, a sad salad with styrofoam tomatoes (in the height of summer!), greasy grilled keftades with no spirit, and tired yellow rice with a slop of tomato sauce puddled in the middle.

Where are the vivid fresh flavors of Greece? Not at Costa's Grill.

I know the American dollar is pathetically weak right now but paying 60 pounds (or almost 120 dollars) for my wife's and my and three kids' worth of flavorless stuff was more than I can bear.

Fortunately I'm going home to California tomorrow where great olive oils, fresh herbs, lively grilled meats and lovely vegetables combine to make great Greek food.
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, July 12, 2006

I had dinner at Costa's on Friday night with a couple of friends, and it wasn't too busy but enough people to give it a nice atmosphere. We sat out in the vine garden which was lovely and we weren't hurried or hassled - in fact we stayed for hours, whiling the evening away without being made to feel we should keep buying more drink. The food was very tasty although veggies be warned, there's nothing for you on the main menu at all, you have to select a few starters instead - but that's fine too (it's what I did and I was satisfied) and they are accommodating about making one of the starters into a main dish if that's what you want. Overall, a very relaxing, friendly and unpretentious place to spend an evening. Good value for money too. Recommended.
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Laura Smith
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, June 26, 2006

My friend and I had dinner at Costa's last night (Saturday evening ) and had booked for 8.45pm. The place was virtually empty but the waiter seemed determined to hurry us along as much as possible to place our order. They had run out of Demestica wine (in a Greek restaurant?!). The food - lamb slovika - was okay but the salad was sparse and tired looking. Worst thing was the waiter hovering like we needed to hurry up and be on our way. It was a cold atmosphere, and surprisingly unfriendly (given all previous reviews). Not recommended - definitely won't be going back.
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Mary
Sunday, November 06, 2005

I'd just like to point a few things out that a lot of the previous reviewers seem to have overlooked. I have been coming to costa's for years and the food is always consistently good. The waiters are friendly to whoever may ask their assistance and the vine garden is a lovely place to spend a nice summers evening. To the person who said they ordered a greek salad and was brought an english salad...perhaps you have misunderstood what a greek salad is...it is in essence an english salad with feta cheese, onions and olives added. And as for the person who says there are wholes covered by brown paper packaging on the seating...you obviously haven't been there for a very long time. If i am not mistaken i do believe it has recently undertaken new management/ownership who seem to be slowly but surely undertaking the task of refurbishing the place. They have already started with the sofas, they are brand new...perhaps it has been a very long while since you have been to costa's, but i assure you there are no holes in seats covered in brown paper bags. I have always found the service and the food here very good. Take it from me...well worth a visit if not only for the food.
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Thursday, August 11, 2005

Can't believe the last reviewer, couldn't agree less. I love Costa's. I have been coming to the local restaurant for the last eight years and have loved it every time. As a confirmed Greco-phile I adore the place. The waiters are genuinely greek ( if that matters...) and one of them will regale you with his political poetry given half a chance. The building is a little down at heel - but isn't that what you get in cozy tavernas in Athens? The food is your basic greek fare - swiftly served and tasty is a straight forward way. Moussaka to die for, lamb sish, rabbit, sardines, meze - all standard and all delicious.

This is the sort of place to come with friends to chat over a bottle of Greek wine and share meze. Its such a hidden gem I hardly wanted to mention it but had to stand up and be counted in the face of the last posting. Costa's fish bar next door is equally good - plaice and chips that Aphrodite would enjoy and ten times better than the hyped up chip shop around the corner whose name begins with "G" but whom I can't quite recall...
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Louisa W11
Friday, August 05, 2005