Papageno Restaurant

I have never *ever* been to a worse restaurant.

This is the kind of tourist trap that makes me ashamed to be British. Everything the other negative reviews say are true. The food - surely the most important thing in any restaurant is dire. The meze are terrible and my lamb shank was vile.

The 'decor' is tacky beyond belief. The loos are something else (read other reviews for a fuller description). The service is awful and the owner, the 'self-styled king of covent garden' is as surly as they come, leering out from his little booth by the door.

Please don't be fooled by this place. There are great places to eat in London. This one should be demolished as soon as possible
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Tom
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Saturday, April 12, 2008

I was very disappointed with this restaurant. The food was overpriced. No additonal potatoes, vegetables were served with food and the waiter did not offer them, even though they were an extra.

Restaurant appeared tired, dusty and not very clean.Waiter service not good.

Discretionary service charge but when told we wouldn't pay, they asked why. Felt very pressurised into paying it.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Tuesday, April 08, 2008

My best friend took me here for a birthday lunch and i fell in love....

They sell Halloumi, have reasonably priced wine, friendly service, naughty toilets & the best interior I have ever seen! I wanted to buy it & live in it! I agree food isnt amazing but lots of complimentary stuff & reasonably priced. Will definitely be back!
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Miss Faye
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 07, 2008

Reading the reviews I was expecting the worst, but we arranged to meet at this place because it was central, there were six of us, and if we became a bit rowdy it would not matter. We met and had the £12.99 or whatever set lunch. When we arrived we ordered a bottle of rioja and ordered several more during the meal. They automatically brought us bit and pieces to eat with the drink. They also kept filling our water glasses, all without being asked.

I would not bring a foodie here, but for a normal person the food was fine. I had the avocado and peeled prawn salad starter, and the lamb shank as a main, which was absolutely delicious. We did not order puddings but they brought us some sliced pineapple, some very sweet little pastries and a huge bowl of fruit 'on the house'. Forgot to mention that the vegetables served with the mains were new potatoes, steamed, and also a large bowl of mixed veg, including baby sweetcorn and mange tout.

The service was leisurely but pleasant, totally suitable for a leisurely lunch, and the portions very generous. To be honest, I went without any expectations apart from negative ones foodwise, and I was very pleasantly surprised and would go there again. As I say, not with a foodie, but with friends who wanted a good time and were not going as amateur food critics.

This is not a top, Michelin starred restaurant, but a good enough food venue with a generous attitude when it comes to portions and free on-the-house additions, so come on guys, give them a break! - No, I have no connections with them!
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Sue H
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, April 02, 2008

I went with two friends on Monday. Frist impressions good - the decor is wonderful, and the crudites, while nothing to write home about, were nice enough. Then the food arrived. One of my friends had the pasta alfredo, and my other friend and I had the steak with red wine sauce. The pasta was so bad as to be inedible - overcooked, with a greasy and completely flavourless sauce. The steak was likewise flavourless, and the red wine sauce was basically red wine which had been heated through with cornflour added. Unpleasant to say the least. We complained about the pasta, which was taken away. The waitress had a long discussion with the (very unfriendly) manageress, who then printed out a bill. It still had the pasta on it. We explained that we weren't prepared to pay, and eventually (with very bad grace) a bill which we were prepared to pay was delivered. We paid and got out. I have never tasted such vile pasta as was served there. Avoid at all costs!
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Emily
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

This is the most fun Restaurant in London, I bring all my overseas guests here and they want to ship the Restaurant back to their countries. The Manager (or Owner) is lovely, he always sends me over a glass of Champagne. My Friends in America are celebrating their 25th Wedding Anniversary next year and we're going to book here and re-create their wedding (even down to what we were all wearing all those years ago). They have never been to the Restaurant but are booking on my recommendation for a fantastic, fun filled celebration. Thank you Papageno's for all the laughs I've (and my Friends) have had visiting you.
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Sally Craig
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 17, 2008

AWFUL! Food was horrible, service was embarrassing and everyone we spoke to in the restaurant was uncomfortable with paying full-price.

Wine is the only saviour and you need it to get through the rotten experience.
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Unhappy customer
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Monday, March 03, 2008

Visited Papageno with my sister last night.

The restaurant looks a lot of fun but the food was awful.

I asked for medium steak had to send this back as it was well done and on second try it looked like only one side had been cooked. The lamb shank ordered was described as "leather disks"!

Would not recommend or visit this restaurant again.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Thursday, February 28, 2008

Sunday lunch 17 February 2008

Not a very good start as although the place was quite empty we were initially seated at a table about half a metre from another table. Asked to be moved to a better position which was then OK.

Thought the setting was amazing really dramatic but it took a long time for anyone to ask us about drinks let alone order. Staff were talking to each other rather than keeping an eye on guests and we had to ask for cutlery.

Had the £12.50 menu which was pretty good considering the location of the place. Lamb shank and salmon.

Main observation is that staff need considferable amount of training to be more professional and learn how to smile and not make serving customers look like a chore.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Friday, February 22, 2008

We were in the 'birthday party' party with Jenny on Wednesday 13th February and have to fully back up her recommendation to avoid this place!

Looks great in principle - fabulous themeing, cool booths (if you get the opportunity to sit in one, we didn't even tho prebooked for a bday!) etc but the service was absolutely shocking! Rather than 'sweeping' the room for anyone who needs help, the staff put their heads down or focus on some dot on the wall far across the other side of the room, and avoid eye contact with customers as much as possible.

40 minute wait between dinner and being given the chance to even order desserts and a further long wait for the bill - the only reason we got it was one of our party went up and said to the waiters 'if you don't come and give us the bill now, we're leaving' which of course made them move slightly quicker (slightly!) - this was after another 20 minute wait.

people, don't be fooled. we tried to surprise a friend for her bday with a great place and ended up all grumpy by the end of what was a tiresome night trying to source some service.

(ps. food was ok, atmosphere was pretty horrible as they had the lights turned up to mega wattage!).
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Unhappy Customer
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Saturday, February 16, 2008