Manicomio

I have been several times this year and have to say it is my favourite restaurant in london .Food is fantastic , fois gras pasta is a must.You have to try a selection of the martinis before you sit down.Best mozzarella in London and awesome ham.No better place to spend saturday lunch , when the summer comes no doubt it will be jam packed outside as well.Lovely setting ,and very friendly staff.Unusualy has 2 head chefs who both used to work at Zafferano and you can tell by the amazing quality of the food that they are both very experienced and talented.highly recommended
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Nev
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 23, 2006

I read somewhere that this restaurant was set up by a "one man" Italian food importer who used deliver to the local restaurants in Chelsea. One Friday evening we walked in off the street and asked for a table for two, they were not busy but decided to seat us in the bar area. We took our seats and decided not to make a fuss as we were looking forward to some good food. Our order was taken promptly and the food and wine were served promptly however we never received our water so asked again and again and again .... The mozzarella and hams, were v good you could tell they were the best produce. I ordered a main course of fried polenta with wild mushrooms and medallions of beef, the main course was dry, the polenta was inedible and the mushrooms well I think there was one. My partner was not impressed with his main course of medallions of beef either, so we left most of it behind. When the waitress came to take the plates she never questioned why we had not finished our meal, normally I am not one to complain but this made angry. When she came back promptly with the desert menu we ordered one espresso, two grappa and the bill. When the bill arrived promptly I explained to the manageress that we were not paying the service charge and she was lucky we were paying for the main courses, she was astounded. I explained to her, “you sat us in the bar area while the restaurant area was quite, you took our order and delivered our food all very promptly but this was only so you and the waitress could stand by the bar talking about the manager and other waiter on duty” (classic if you had heard what they were saying!). “Then you had to be asked three times for the water at which was a struggle to get your attention while you gossiped! The main course was awful and to top it all you give me a bill for £120” I did not give her a chance to say anything we left cash minus the service charge and we walked out. I never complain in a restaurant, I am not sure I have ever need to. I am never rude to waiters but fact that I was ripped off after the bar seating, awful polenta, prompt service only for gossiping time, being ignored and not being questioned about leaving more than 3/4 of our main course sent me over the edge!

I think the owner should stick to importing food, or hire new front of house staff and kitchen staff!

We have eaten at some exquisite restaurants in London where we have spent as little as spend £30 a head, or as expensive £85 per head but this is one I would not give a second chance to!!
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Imelda
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 16, 2006

It is not a cheap restaurant but the food was excellent. Good wine list and very good service. I liked the atmosphere very much.
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Denis Rawlings
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Thursday, March 16, 2006

I went to this restaurant for lunch with 2 of my clients, the setting was pleasant as was the welcolme.

The waiter was very keen and we had to send him away 3 times as we were not ready to order.

The quality of the food was not bad but there was not a great deal of it and if you wanted any veg etc, it was all extra cost.

The Peroni beers were a ridiculus price and given what we had to eat and the size of the bill I will definately not be returning, you can eat better and for a lot less elsewhere.
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Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Friday, February 24, 2006

I have eaten at Manicomio twice in the last 2 months. I thought that on both occasions the food and service were excellent. This is the perfect place to go for an Italian meal if you're near the King's road.
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Mark Wilkins
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Sunday, February 12, 2006

Food was lovely with intriguing combinations of ingredients (envisage quail, farro and pomegranate salad for starters) and gorgeous desserts. Lovely to see a restaurant extolling the virtues of fresh ingredients, freshly prepared. Decor minimalist but ambience convivial. Unlike other reviewers we experienced very attentive and courteous service and the maitre d' was charming. Although they charge £1.50 for bread and olive oil, the bread (focaccia) was so light and well textured you can forgive them this. Overall very good.
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Anton Stanbrook
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Sunday, January 15, 2006

Visited on Tuesday 20 Dec for dinner with a friend. The food is yummy wonderful and flavourful but very small portions. For my friend's starter of gorgonzolla salad she only spied 2 pieces of cheese! However when she mentioned this more were supplied. My starter of quail salad was excusite and OK size wise. But my main course of the punmkin ravioli (really excellent very tasty) was only 5 packets of ravioli for around £12. When I complained I was offered some bread but I said no I'd like some more pasta and sure enough 3 more packets of delicious pasta arrived. My friend had lamb for her main course and that was good and a nice portion.

My friend and I are not piggies and normally restaurants have huge portions but obviously not here! The desserts again were fab and good sized compared to the rest. We had a wonderful chestnut alaska and a chocolate/orange pud that took 15mins and was well worth the wait. Very authentic Italian food!

We thought the service was OK really I asked for tap water and that was no problem it arrived. Quite a good buzzy attmosphere. Just a shame that we had 2 dishes that although tasty just looked a bit mean!
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, December 21, 2005

Oh dear. Dreadful. Food fresh and imaginative but service so bad its actually quite funny. I have never seen waiters so successful at avoiding eye contact at all times. Its just not worth it.
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B Smith-Taylor
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Monday, December 12, 2005

Have been to Manicomio more than 5 times now in the past 6 months and I have to say I love this place. The food (especially the pasta's) and service have always been extremely good and professional. Even in July when eating outside and the place was filled to the max I couldn't fault them.

The food can be a bit salty at times, but that's the only negative point I can think of!!!
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Edward
Thursday, November 10, 2005

The service is seriously wanting. I'm afraid its just not worth it. Not only are the waiters incompetent. They are rude too.

Good italian food.
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Wednesday, October 26, 2005