Stef's Italian

Stef's is a destination restaurant. Don't be diverted by the stylish glass and mirrored interior. The decor says 'modern Italian' but the cuisine, wines and friendly family service is 100% authentic and traditional.

The welcome from proprietor Stefano and his efficient staff alone is warm enough to make a 'regular' of every customer but the great cooking and generosity of the dishes seals the deal.

The cooking is of a very high quality and flavours are very well defined. The wine list is comprehensive, interesting and prices are not grabby.

This is a restaurant with a big smile in the heart of a tough city.
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Tim Fraser
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, June 13, 2012

We had lunch on Friday at Stef's and could not fault the welcome, service, food and fantastic hospitality. tt wasn't our first visit and will certainly not be our last!! Thank you Stef and all your tream!!
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Sandra Lindsay
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, June 13, 2012

I've been eating at stefs on and off for a number of years. after an extended hiatus in the USA i popped in last week to be delighted to see that nothing has changed. great menu, quick service, great value.

thanks again for the hospitality.
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alan hungerford
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, June 13, 2012

I really enjoyed the whole experience!

We showed up early for our 8 pm Reservation on a Saturday night and (understandably) the table was not ready yet. So we sat outside and received complimentary glasses of wine. As we were 5-10 minutes early, I was not expecting that.

The bar was busy, it was obviously a popular place to start a nice night out based on the attire of the crowd.

The Atmosphere was alive and energetic. The Staff were friendly. I didn't realize until the end that the waiter who took our order was Stefano! We spoke at the end of our dinner for a while (due to our Canadian Accents I suppose).

The food was wonderful, the wine was fantastic, and all of that was on a really reasonable cost. My wife and I will go back for sure. Already planning to take family and friends there when they visit us.
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Stephen
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, April 23, 2012

I organised a group birthday for 14 people at Stef's this week. It went absolutely beautifully. Our waiter was fantastic and offered an excellent service. The wine we were offered was a Merlot and went down a treat with everybody.

The food here is traditionally Italian and from the antipasti menu to its main courses it is seemingly obvious that they are keeping it that way. We took a good 7-8 different starters, all of them delicious.The Bresaola della Casa and the Funghi Misti are especially good.

I ended up ordering the special; Parpadelle with pork sausage. It was slightly more salty than I would have liked, but nevertheless delightfuly tasty.

Stefano himself got us a lovely birthday cake from Patisserie Valerie which was a hit with the rest of our family.

Overall, an absolute pleasure to eat and dine.
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Yashar
10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, April 06, 2012

Amazing food, service and ambience.

A great night.
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9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 26, 2012

This has become one of my favourite places to eat now, as from the first time I visited I found the staff friendly and welcoming. The food is excellent and very reasonable priced, there is a great relaxed atmosphere, and I would highly recommend it.
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Claire M
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 09, 2012

We were six colleagues enjoying a night out to celebrate a successful 2011. I had dined here last year with my family and had really enjoyed the meal so recommended it. The rest of the team looked at the menu online and despite an offer to go to higher end 'name' restaurants (boss was paying!) Stefs got the vote as it was felt the menu had something for everyone and was very accessible.

We had a good variety of starters , the spicy king prawns went down really well, as did the cured beef. For mains we had steak, pasta of various types, chicken wrapped in Parma ham and a cod special. Everyone cleared their plates with gusto and we loved the Amorone wine which accompanied it.

Service was great - we had a minor hiccup with a drinks order on arrival but this was corrected quickly and with good humour. Our waiter was charming and Stef came across to have a chat which made us feel very welcome and like 'locals' if there is such a thing just off Oxford St!

Two visits now 6 months apart and both have been excellent meals, great service and we all now consider Stefs to be a safe, affordable but high quality option when dining in London. Six more fans!
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Martin - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Wonderful food with friendly service and banter to match. I've been in Stef's for numerous meals recently and the standards are consistently high. Couldn't recommend it more
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Simon Bower
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 18, 2012

We booked a table new years eve 5.15pm, i was told the fixed price new years eve menu begins at 6pm. As soon as we arrived we were shown to our table right by the waiters station, not the best place to be seated considering the restaurant was over three quarters empty. I was asked by the waiter, which menu i would like to which i replied the regular menu, he did'nt look pleased by my choice. as soon as we started looking through our menu's another waiter came along and pulled the menu from my hand, he told us we had booked a table so we would have to have the new years eve menu, i looked up at him in amazement, shocked at how rude he had just been. I reminded him the regular menu was available until 6pm so thats the menu we would be ordering from, he then looked up at another waiter who had appeared at our table who pretty much told him to hand the menu back to me. without an apology he handed back my menu turned around and walked off to another table.

My wife was gob smacked i kept my cool, i just simply told her i will not be paying the service charge.

Within a minute or two the owner Stef was at our table introducing himself and shaking our hands, he came across as a nice guy and took our order.

The food was on par with pizza express and zizzi's but nothing more than that, i would say it was nice but not outstanding as some reviews may lead you to believe.

To the waiter who was so rude to me i would like to say, you owe it to stef to provide a great service to his customers.

Unfortunately we will not be returning, ever!!
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Mitch
3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, January 04, 2012