Aglio E Olio

I have been going to this restaurant for about eight years now and I think the food is fantastic. I have taken all my friends there over the years and have never known anyone not to enjoy it, true its not the most comfortable restaurant, in fact anyone who knows me is astonished when I say lets go to Aglio, as one of my bete noirs is being jogged! Its crazy busy, with closely packed tables and yes, the staff are rushed off their feet and some can seem rather grumpy, but I really like them especially Renata, and they always try and put me at a table with my back against the wall so I have a little jog-free zone to enjoy the wonderful food. My favourite dishes are the spagattini with large prawns (fab!) and their divine mixed grilled fish which usually includes sea bass, salmon, scallops and tiger prawns, this is out of this world! The little side dish of mixed vegetables that comes with it are also delicious, especially the little roast new potatoes. Grilled calamari sprinkled with chopped fresh chilles is another corker. Normally I don't eat desserts but I make the exception here, the zabaglione is just beyond!
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Kik London
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 12, 2010

I agree with the comments above with regards to the food. I think they have brilliant chefs who deliver great quality, using very good ingredients. The service however leaves a lot to be desired...I found the wait staff rude and constantly rushing us, which made it difficult to enjoy the good food. I think the staff there need to understand part of the experience of a place is the service. I am not sure I would ever want to go there or recommend for anyone to go there.
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Wairimu Njuguna
5 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 6
Sunday, April 11, 2010

I have visited Aglio E Olios twice now while visiting friends.in Chelsea...I live in Nottingham where we have many good restaurants..but I found the food and service excellent at Ollios. On both occasions it was packed.. with chefs and waiting staff fully stretched and focused on their work. Having worked as a chef myself for many years (behind the scenes) I think it is very brave of the chefs to work flat out while highly visible to the punters..and I think they do a sterling job..to expect them to smile and be pleasant is asking rather a lot I think when their main concern is providing fresh wonderfully cooked food promptly in a hot and frantic environment..ditto the waiting staff. I found them as pleasant and friendly as possible in such an environment and I hope to visit many more times
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Gill Clayton
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, April 08, 2010

I could not agree less with the views below. We go there all the time before Chelsea games and the food is good. The service is slighlty quirky but once they get to know you it's fine. The house white isn't revolting.
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andy Jacobs
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Tuesday, January 26, 2010

I do agree with Carlos up to the point. Service was nice until recently. Now nobody is smiling but maybe this is the price for outstanding italian food?
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Martin
8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 10
Saturday, December 12, 2009

Great service and fantastic food. Chelsea's best Italian where the staff really look after you. Perhaps sometimes they are misunderstood on occasion, however they are really nice when you get to know them
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Carlos
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, December 10, 2009

I went for lunch with two friends yesterday. I live in the area but have always avoided Aglio E Olio as I loathe the decor and the chairs and tables are basic in the extreme.

Firstly, the wine. The selection is incredibly poor, and the house white revolting. Still, at £12.50 it's better than the Sauvignon which at £23.50 is the greatest rip off I've ever seen.

Secondly the service-I agree with my previous reviewers that the service leaves a lot to be required. There were 4 chefs in the kitchen and only a handful of other people having lunch but the service was both slow and surly.

The food was ok but very basic. My meat ball pasta had about 4 tiny pieces of meat. The mozerella and Parma Ham that preceded it were both tasteless-although decent portions-perhaps they were understandably trying to get rid of it. Some of the specials were quite extortionately expensive-far more so than the considerably more upmarket Italian restaurant further up the road on Fulham Beach.

Definitely won't be returning.
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James
2 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, September 08, 2009