Elistano

Having been there once before on the recommendation of a local who has eaten there for years, I took my family back for a Sunday lunch. The food was excellent in variety, flavour & freshness. Antipasto plates through to desert were all outstanding - too many good dishes to select a few favourites. If you like real Italian, you will love this. Excellent service. Only complaint is the noise levels inside the restaurant which should be addressed. All in all though, a memorable experience, and we will be back (maybe even this week - it was that good)!
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, May 19, 2008

This has long been one of my favourite lunchtime restaurants, maybe it's the food that suits us "Ladies who Lunch" the spinach salad is beautifully presented always fresh clean and crisp, I tend to follow this with spaghetti vongole, another all time best, service is generally polite and no longer wait here than anywhere else I eat. Prices have crept up the last couple of years and the house wine is pricey for what it is ,none the less still a firm favourite lunch spot for me.
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M Alexander
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, November 21, 2007

Jolly atmoshpere. The service was quite efficient as long as you are prepared to bully a waiter to look after you.

The food; the carpaccio was pretty terrible, far too cold, glued to the plate, and not wholesome.

The fennel and artichoke salad, despite not having any fennel at all, was quite good and had a nice dressing on it. The zucchini friti were good too, with tasty courgette in a light batter and not greasy.

The butterfly prawns are best ordered without the sauce; it does nothing for them. The pasta with mixed seafood was average; the sauce too sweet and raw, the pasta overcooked, with a mess of slightly stale shellfish heaped on top. I expect other simpler dishes would be better.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Friday, July 13, 2007

I went last Friday with 5 friends, I have been going there for over 10 years, it used to be called Pasta Connection. The food has always been excellent, great atmosphere, and friendly staff, also it has also always been packed! However, someone has tried to be clever with the food, what used to be fresh and straight forward, was covered in something they called a sauce and just killed the flavour of the food. The service was ok, the place only 3/4 full. I have to say I am not suprised. It cost just over £50 a head, and I won't be going back sadly....
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Nick Parker
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Sunday, March 25, 2007

I ate here last night. I waited 30 mins past our reservation time to be seated (group of 4). Moreover, it took 30 minutes past being seated for anyone to come and ask us even for our drinks order! The food was average and the "kids" running the restaurant were well below any level of competence I have seen in a long time. Would suggest that anyone considering to go here skip it.
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adam herrmann
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Thursday, September 07, 2006

It is only the food that saves this restaurant from being vitoed by the public permanently I think. I have never had such appalling service in my life. The waiters kept us waiting for over 25 minutes before we could order drinks let alone food! they then got the food wrong and the side order arrived 20 minutes after the main courses. The wine glasses were never filled up and we had to ask 4 time to get a bottle of water. The attitude was rude and obnoxious and they have the audacity to put service charge on the bill!! no wonder - they wouldnt get any tips otherwise!! The food however was good when it arrived.

If you have a spare 5 hours for supper and dont might the wait or the attitude then you might consider going. For true italian - make the trip to the River Cafe instead.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, August 15, 2006

It is only the food that saves this restaurant from being vitoed by the public permanently I think. I have never had such appalling service in my life. The waiters kept us waiting for over 25 minutes before we could order drinks let alone food! they then got the food wrong and the side order arrived 20 minutes after the main courses. The wine glasses were never filled up and we had to ask 4 time to get a bottle of water. The attitude was rude and obnoxious and they have the audacity to put service charge on the bill!! no wonder - they wouldnt get any tips otherwise!! The food however was good when it arrived.

If you have a spare 5 hours for supper and dont might the wait or the attitude then you might consider going.
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Bella Blak e
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, August 15, 2006

Went there as part of a group of 12 - Ordered a la carte - Service seemed quite reasonable - Baring in mind there was another part of 12 - There was no undue delay in taking orders and serving up courses. As a starter I had the calamari - This was adequate - Nothing out of the ordinary - As a main I had the Butterfly prawns which were well presented and slighlty chili - Accompanying this was mash potato and spinach - This was an odd combo. but worked fine. For dessert I sampled the tiramisu which was fine, the profiteroles where good and creamy. The red wine was delighful with a good hint of liquorice. Had a pleasant evening The bill averaged to £42 pounds per head.

Would I go back? Not in a hurry as for the price there are other retaurants that can provide a good italian menu; for example Osteria Basilico in Notting Hill.

I am surprised at some of the poorer reviews. In my experience it wasn't so bad!
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JJK
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, August 09, 2006

Average food, served brusquely in what must be the noisiest room in London, which totally killed the experience. It was a relief to get out into the street afterwards.
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Nick
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Monday, July 17, 2006

We went there expecting very good Italian food. We were very surprised. It was disgusting. The service was appalling. When my friend politely commented that she wasn't happy with her meal - the waiter replied that he'd cook one for her to see if she liked it - and then said he'd pay for it. The manager made it worse. My veal tasted like airplane food. When we asked if they had Sardinian wine, the reply was - if it's not on the wine list, we don't have it do we? Appalling, appalling, appalling. Don't waste your time. Actually, it's a wonder how these establishments have the nerve to call themselves Italian Restaurants. They do not provide Italian food, nor do they know how to run a restaurant.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Thursday, January 26, 2006