Melanie

Just been to the Melanie on Sunday afternoon. Had to wait one and a half hours for our food (seriously - we timed them). Food was OK - though pizzas were cold - presumably they'd been sat waiting for the rest of the food. The waiters were particularly inattentive and there seemed to be an atmosphere between the waiters and the kitchen stafff and also between the waiters themslves. Tables around us were commenting on how bad the service was - the place was less than half full as well. I recommend you avoid this restaurant - there are so many others to choose from (Med Kitchen, also on Old Compton Street is infinitely better).
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Chris C
3 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 6
Sunday, January 29, 2012

Well, I am quite astonished at some remarks in reviews already made. Visitors to London, we have no restaurant yardstick but we do recognise enthusiasm and desire to please the customer. Nothing was too much trouble for our waiters. Front of house was a joyous atmosphere setter. Food was interestingly good, service just right, cleanliness good. No complaints from us and will make a bee-line for the restaurant if ever in Soho again.
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Rona McWilliam
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, July 25, 2011

This is a place where staff are very rude! Me and my partner, we dared asking for the table cover, that by the way was paper and not cloth, to be changed and ...hell unleashed! The waitress went all red with anger! and the manager would not have it!!! 'We don't change the cover after each customer!', Are you telling me that I am to eat over somebody else's spit???
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Rainela
2 Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, April 06, 2010

I am not the high brow type that needs a pampered meal before rushing to the theatre. Rather, we came upon Melanie's as if by chance after shopping for jazz recordings and books at Foyle's. We were pleasantly surprised by an excellent meal and attentive staff. Sorbet served in an orange was a great after dinner treat. My chicken entree was fresh. Fresh artichokes and mushrooms were used. Head waiter was even entertaining. I highly recommend Melanie's. Especially for a leisurely afternoon meal.

Leave the supper time late night rushing around to the theatre goers. As an American transplanted to Israel, I rather go to London for its great jazz not its overblown theatre.
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Pleased customer (Jazz Lover)
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, March 09, 2010

Popped into Melanie's for dinner before a show last night and was pleasantly surprise. The fare was not much better than my own attempts at Carbonara or a Sainsbury's Taste the Difference meal but very reasonably priced - and I, for once, enjoyed the atmosphere, was not rushing to get to my show and didn't feel like I'd bee fleeced in central London. Convenient and friendly. £14 for a starter, main and a glass of wine? In Central London? I would go again.
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8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Utterly terrible!.. really! this 'Authentic Italian restaurant' is about as Italian as roast beef! the food was obviously some kind of pre prepared frozen ready meal which was truly disgusting! Ive had better dishes from greasy-spoon cafe's in new cross!

I have a good mind to report this establishment (in the most loose sense of the word) to trading standards!

The one saving grace was the service, the waitress was lovely (and actually Italian) and very apologetic...

Its no wonder the food is cheap!

This place obviously relies heavily on the passing tourist trade, as I cannot for the life of me believe that anybody in their right mind would visit here more than once.

We will most certainly NOT be returning, and we DO NOT recommend this restaurant to anybody, not even people we dont like!
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P. isstoff
2 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Friday, November 13, 2009

I have been to this restaurant twice, both times the attitude from the staff left a lot to be desired.

The first time I went with a friend at about 8.45 on a Tuesday night. Not rush hour you might think, and yes there were only a few tables occupied. I ordered a pepperoni pizza and my partner lamb cutlets with salad.

Almost 50 minutes later nothing had arrived and I asked the waiter what had happenned - we're cooking it! was the rude reply. As I was gathering my things to leave lo and behold the food magically appeared. The food was good but then who can go wrong with a peppperoni pizza?

The second time I went with a group of 5 friends on a Friday night. We came into the restaurant and spotting a vacant table in the middle asked if they had a table for 6. After a bit of grumbling the waiter said we should wait outside and the table would be ready (this is London in October, not Sorrento on a Summers evening). My very approachable friend suggested we wait at the bar and order some drinks while we waited, to which the waiter replied - 'No, the bar's for staff only' ???????????

enough said really

These people really need a customer care course, but I shouldnt need to tell them that, their half empty restaurant almost every night should say that. Gordon........?
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robert
4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 4
Friday, October 09, 2009

Have visited this restaraunt on a regular basis- excellent value for money and excellent food..hence my return!

Love the bruschetta & calamari (starter) any pizza and ravoli (mains) and tiarmisu is the perfect sweet!

Cant understand the negative comments- from previous experience people need to leave enough time pre theatre to have a meal...everyone has the same idea so all restaraunts close to theatres are busy!

The staff are entertaining and friendly (especially if you have children!)

There isnt a restaurant in Soho that is cheaper and better value!
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Karen
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, August 15, 2009

This restaurant is in a prime position in the midst of Theatreland and therefore has a good 'passing' trade and does not have to rely on a 'regular' clientele. Over the last year, we have used the restaurant on several occasions and, although the food has been fine, the service has been varied.

However, on Saturday, 1st August we booked to go to a Matinee performance at a local theatre and just before popped into the restaurant to book a table for 5.30 p.m. We were curtly told that if we were not there by that time the booking would be cancelled. We explained where we were going but he was quite adamant about cancelling our booking, as if our business did not matter and the restaurant would get full anyway.

We arrived just before 5.30 p.m. and sat for sometime before any waiter came near. We eventually ordered the wine and food, most of which was fine. When ordering our dessert of Creme Caramel we asked for coffee to be served afterwards with a liqueur. The coffee came first, the CC came up which seemed to have curdled - in fact, I have never tasted a CC like it before - I asked it to be replaced and the next one came up the same but my husband's was smooth and enjoyable. The liqueur never appeared although it was put on the bill!! My husband had to point out the error. We will not be returning.
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6 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Sunday, August 02, 2009