Dolce Vita

I don't really understand the negative reviews. I've been to this restaurant 3 times and each time have really enjoyed it. The food is tasty, the service is swift and the prices extremely fair. I think it's a great little neighbourhood restaurant.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 26, 2007

We had our staff Christmas party there recently. The food was good but I have to agree with other people about the appalling manners of the older staff (manager?) He treated the customers like naughty schoolchildren. Was very rude and arrogant and shouted at both a customer and the younger waiters - who were very pleasant but obviously petrified of him. I have never seen such poor customer service in my life! He managed to stress everyone out and spoilt the party for many of the guests. If he cannot cope with customers perhaps he should stay behind the scenes and leave the customers to the younger staff. What could have and should have been a wonderful experience was spoilt leaving a very bitter taste in my mouth! I will never go back unless of course there is a change of the older staff who should be retired to Faulty Towers - I doubt though they would get a job even there! p.s the atmosphere was great but that was because of the customers not the management!
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Jane
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, December 19, 2006

This is the worst restaurant I have ever been to. The food was average but the service was absolutely appalling. How they sill have any custom I will never know unless every one in there on Saturday were, like me, new to this place, but I have to say once is definitely enough. I went with 5 friends and to be honest none of us have ever received service like this in any other restaurant. Whilst the majority of the staff seemed pleasant enough the owner was the most obnoxious person ever. The rest of the staff seemed absolutely petrified of him and with good reason to I am sure, as the way he spoke to them in front of a packed restaurant left a lot to be desired so how he spoke to them in private, I dread to think. We also tried to question the service charge, as we wanted to make sure he received not a penny of it, only to be growled at that it was a compulsory charge as quoted in the menu. I agree that everyone has their own opinion but my opinion would be that you should definitely spend your money elsewhere.
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Paula Martin
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, October 01, 2006

I agree with views of the other lady, the food was average, and the service was awful, I was contantly elbowed in the back and the sweet was dished up from the dessert trolley like a school dinner lady.

Definately a restaurant to go to if you are on a hen night and have low expectations on the food/service.
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Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, August 22, 2006

I ate here last night and was spectacularly underwhelmed by the food and the service. It wasn't just poor service, it was pathetic, made all the worse by having it made perfectly clear to both myself and my girlfriend that our custom was not valued in any way. More on that later.

To start we had inslata tricolore and deep fried camembert with apricot preserve. The tomatoes in the salad were utterly tasteless. I suspect they were on offer from the Morrison's down the road. Similarly, the avocado and mozzarell were also of low quality and even less taste. The camembert was ok, but I'm not sure if it's even possible to mess up frying a pre-packaged lump of food. The apricot preserve was freshly spooned straight from the jar. It was even still molded in the shape of the jar.

Our mains were Chicken "Caesar" Salad and Bistecca Pizzaiola. The "Caesar" salad was utterly bereft of Caesar dressing, so it was in fact a lettuce, chicken, anchovy and crouton salad with a drop of olive oil. The steak was edible, and the sauce was tasty but it had the consistency and taste of something made from a jar rather than from scratch. The garlic bread was nice though.

Shortly after arriving we noticed that the tennis player Mark Woodforde was there with his family. The manager/owner/whoever fawned over them throughout the whole meal, smiling and providing a generally good service. When we left and said goodbye and thank you we received a grunt in response. I'm taking it that it was meant as a response, because the rude little git couldn't be bothered to look at us. We will never eat there again.

In summary, save your money, they neither deserve it nor appear to want it. Walk a bit further along The Broadway to The Stage Door Restaurant opposite the theatre. The food is great and the service is fantastic. Avoid ****** if at all possible.
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James
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Monday, July 03, 2006

I honestly cannot believe some of the reviews I have read. The food, service, atmosphere and price were all outstanding. I have visited Dolce Vita on may occassions and have always been impressed. The staff are friendly and helpful and I have never been rushed. This is my favourite restaurant in Wimbledon. Make your own mind up, you'll love it.
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Lucy Morris
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, May 25, 2006

I went to Dolce Vita last Saturday night and I can honestly say that if you want lovely food and a fun lively, friendly atmosphere this is the place to go. Being Italian myself I find it difficult to find Italian restaurants which actually serve real Italian food, not just versions of. Dolce Vita is obviously run by Italians who know how to cook! I would recommend this restaurant for birthdays and celebrations as you are sure to have a good time!
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Kur Ciccone
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 06, 2006

I really enjoy Dolce Vita, the food is delicious, the sevice is great, however They rush you a bit too order your food. The atmosphere is very lively. My nights at Dolce Vita are always very memorable
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Laura - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, December 14, 2005

Chrismas dinner with 15 work colleages on the 9th december.Utterly disappointed with the service, there was no chrismas attmosphere, the waiters rushed through our orders very fast,once the dinner arrived we were really upset, the food was awfull.not a christmas cracker nor a party hat in sight, we each paid in advance £27.50 for the worst works meal ever. we will never be going there again, we will certainly not recommend this restaurant to any of our friends.
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Mark Abel
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, December 13, 2005

Crappiest restaurant in Wimbledon. Food is so unimaginative . Had the stuffed mushrooms to start with. One pathetic field mushroom arrived supposedly stuffed with cheese and bacon, needed a microscope to see it. the steak was shit and the spinach was cold. Do NOT waste your money. Staff couldn'dt careless if your're there or not
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Debbie Baxter
Tuesday, October 25, 2005