Aglio E Olio

Went there last night with a booking for four at 9pm. On arrival (8.55) we were informed that there was a short wait. We could tell this was a lie as there were about 20 people standing around waiting and no free tables. This was obviously very annoying for the guests sitting eating as they where being disturbed during there meals. At 9.10 the very grumpy waiters and manager started (almost physically) throwing out guests, this was not appreciated! However, some of the waiting guests were seated. At 9.20, I asked the manager whether we would be able to get a table soon. He was incredibly rude and started swearing at me and my wife. At 9.30, half an hour after our booking, we still had no table and there was still a queue ahead of us. We once again asked the manager who again launched into a torrent of abuse. By this time we were so annoyed that we decided to leave. Throughout our wait we were bumped in to by surly waiters and waitresses who constantly swore at us.

I have eaten there a number of times before and found the food OK for a mid-week cheap & cheerful Italian (nothing amazing though). However, I see no reason to put up with this sort of abuse from the staff and I am unlikely to return. To anybody thinking of going on a busy night I would strongly advise staying away!
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Peter Fox-Jones
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Saturday, May 19, 2007

I was first taken here by a Brompton local and it has since then, become my favourite place to eat pasta - like another reviewee I have never strayed from the first main dish I tried there - purely because I am so worried that I may miss out on the best Aglio Olio I have ever tasted - the garlic and chilli coming through without being fussy - it's just stunning!

Anyway I'm heading back tomorrow night for the first time in a year (I'm in London for 1 night) so I'll let you know if my opinion has changed!
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Aimee
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 11, 2007

When reading "some" of the review comments I wondered whether I had the correct Restaurant as I disagree with all the comments regarding service. I have been a regular for some years and have always found the Manager and staff (Mainly female) to be wonderfully welcoming and indeed helpful. They even adapt the menu to suit my taste even when crazy busy. It continues to be a favourite of mine and indeed my friends. The food is wonderful. "For me" the service has also always been superb and the prices are just right.
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David Poole & Georgette Collins
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 01, 2007

Great food and fantastic local restaurant. I don't know why everyone is moaning about the service - they are always wonderful to us. It is extremely busy and they are under a lot of pressure to get people in and out as there are two seatings so if you are looking for a long, cosy evenging forget it as it is super noisy and frantic.
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Marianna Smith
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 16, 2007

I had been with my mother here a couple of weeks before, and although the food was excellent the manager was not! Hoping to be proven wrong, I returned last week with a couple of friends and again the food was delicious, perfect even and a very good italian place, but once again the manager appeared on the scene looking miserable and un helpful. He asked for our order and almost left the table without asking my two friends. The same with the bill, rather than waiting for us to explain how we were going to divide it, he started to walk off looking angrier then ever.

If he wants to keep his customers, then he better change his attitude. The food maybe good, but that won't keep everyone there for much longer with his behaviour.
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london eater
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 03, 2007

I agree with different elements of the reviews posted here. The food was truly delicious - plentiful, fresh and well prepared - and the prices reasonable. However, what a dour bunch of waiters. I have been here several times, and each time have come away in a slightly sour mood as a result of the brusque attitude of the manager and waiters alike. It's a shame it is quite so popular, because they clearly don't feel they need to work for their customer loyalty. They are just lucky they have a fantastic chef in their kitchens. I would recommend this restaurant for a quick, delicious meal - not the type of place to make an evening of it though.
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JW9
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Sunday, January 14, 2007

We ate here this weekend for the first time. It was certainly popular and bustling after 8pm. The lasagne and broad bean and bacon penne were absolutely faultless and the pasta was cooked to perfection. The only thing that spoilt the evening was the manager sternly telling his poor staff off several times in front of the customers rather than discreetly directing them sympathetically . This made the staff who attended us look rather sullen.
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Saturday, January 06, 2007

It was probably the WORST service I have ever had in London and that says quite a lot considering I eat out about 5 times a week. The bill was thrown onto the table right after the coffee came in and then one of the wiaters started throwing the coats at us, prompting us to make room for other customers. We didn't even get a chance to finish the wine that we already paid for!!! The food was ok, but we might as well have gone to Mc. Donald's
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Service minded!
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, December 05, 2006

After seven or so years with an unchanged menu it is hard to believe I still see this a regular and and much liked place to grab a pasta.

Food is good if "less in your face value" than in years gone by.

Staff retention is the secret I reckon.
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Kieran
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Saturday, November 11, 2006

this place is probably becoming a victim of its popularity.

when we booked we were not told that they had a turnaround time for our table that was re-booked that night. we were then rushed through our meal with surly service. it had been one of my favourite restaurants; good food and good prices, but the service made us so uncomfortable that night that i would never go again.
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A disappointed regular
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Sunday, May 14, 2006