Manicomio

We had an appalling experience here. I appreciate that on a sunny saturday afternoon, establishments like this are going to be busy, but there can be no justifiable excuse for the bad service that we experienced.

The service was bad because

1) we were allocated a table and then after waiting, told to move

2) the waitress took 15 minutes to take our order

3) the tea/coffee/cake took 25 minutes to bring out

4) it took 20 minutes to get our bill!

5) it took another 15 minutes to pay our bill.

All in all, what was meant to be an express pit-stop to fuel up on a shopping excursion dragged on for the best part of an hour and a half. This was the first time that I have ever, ever asked for a service charge to be removed from my bill.

What was for us an entrapment looked for other diners to be even more excrutiating: one couple on a clear first date had their afternoon ruined by bickering with the waitress about waiting times, an order cancellation and then awkwardly leaving.

All in all, just a waste of time.
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Rebecca, EC2
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 6
Monday, October 22, 2007

We came here for an evening meal. Service was pleasant (although the starters took a while to arrive) and the food was delicious. Particularly recommend the carpaccio of beef. Would agree with the prices being high, but the food was of an excellent standard.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, August 08, 2007

Service over lunch was dreadful. We waited an hour for them to bring two small expensive portions of pasta and two side salads. Two inquiries about where our food was led to a free glass of wine - not really wanted at lunchtime and an apology from a waiter but not from the manageress. Bread was added to the bill but not provided. Optional service I made them remove. Perhaps the flower show and the sun brought out the worst in the place but I will not be returning.
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Adam
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Thursday, May 24, 2007

The main problem with this place is the outrageous prices. Pasta, even the bestest, freshest pasta, is simply not a very expensive ingredient and charging upwards of £14 for a main course so composed is not on. Yes, the location, yes it is all very pretty and yes Italian restaurants in London are mostly rip-offs so par for the course, but even so.

That said, the food is pretty good. Not top-notch - but I have not been disappointed. The staff have always been good, in my experience. Other reviewers have clearly not been so lucky. But those prices cannot be justified. I would recommend (and not just here either) all customers simply deduct the service charge from the bill as you are wholly entitled to do. This money just goes straight to management anyway as extra profit. Give your waiter/ess a cash tip if you want. If everyone did this, in every restaurant, then maybe they would learn.
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mike
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, May 09, 2007

Had lunch at this restaurant on Easter Saturday. The sun was shining and sitting outside was a delight. We found the food absolutely delicious - one of the best meals we had tasted for ages. The staff were attentive and helpful, but I have to agree with most of the other reviewers that the prices are way too high. For two 2-course lunches and a bottle of wine the price was £124. Make up your own mind!
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Moir Ferguson
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, April 10, 2007

Went there midweek, the restaurant was practically empty. Was talked into a disgustingly dry plate of duck ravioli by the waiter (obviously trying to get rid of it). The starter was three wafer thin slices of aubergine smeared with cheese and rolled into batons served with a lump of rocket. It was a total rip off, £96 for two starters, 2 main courses and some foccacia bread. We drank a bottle of wine 2 large fizzy waters and a port. Scandalously expensive for an otherwise unmemorable meal.
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Anne
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, February 02, 2007

Went there for an informal sunday lunch and there was a warm, friendly buzz on what was a bitter winter afternoon. The surroundings were slightly cafe-like however and judging by the menu these were certainly not cafe prices! The service was good though there were no breads which you would normally expect at a nice Italian. My pasta main course was however one of the best pasta dishes I have eaten in London - swordfish pasta with a chunky tomato sauce - delicious. My other three companions however had the pasta al ragu which I tasted and thought was very average. Our bill which included 4 bloody marys, water but no other drinks and a pasta dish each was about 30 quid each which I thought was a bit excessive. Despite the swordfish pasta, there are better Italians around than this one. Also if you wanted to impress or go somewhere romantic the interior of this restaurant is really not very special.
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Jeremy LieBster
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Monday, December 04, 2006

I ate here with a group of friends in july 2006. The servie was fine and the food was fine..but the prices are way above the level of either. Is it too much too ask from a 'rare' rib of beef for over £27 that it not be well done. It was such a beautiful piece of meat that i couldn't see it thrown away, but it spoilt my evening. In short...the wrong price.
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Richard
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, November 21, 2006

I have been to this extra busy restaurant with some friends and after having left there I wondered why on earth peole go there for the horrible food and disgusting service.

It took them 15 minutes to take our orders and another 30 minutes to bring the food, which was not what we had ordered. So we waited another 30 minutes for the food which arrived cold and tasteless and eventually they made us pay 12% service. As one of the other reviewers said it is a pity this restaurant occupied a fantastic place in the Duke of York Sq. I have the impression that people just love to go to expensive Chelsea restaurants to show off.
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Mahtab
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Monday, June 19, 2006

I arrived with a new date Thursday evening not having booked a table. The restaurant was fully booked due to the Chelsea flower show. The manageress managed to jugle the bookings and accommodated us. The food was absolutely delicious using 1st class ingredients. The service was very good although we did send the waiter away 3 times initially as we had not even looked at the menu. Looking forward to Sunday lunch with the girls.....fab find.
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Joy Kerr
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, May 26, 2006