Stef's

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

I did a bit of internet research and Stef's popped up, I liked the feel of the website and when I called to book the member of staff I spoke with was very welcoming and due to the special nature of my booking I was given Stef to speak with who was only too happy to help out -I was going to ask my girlfriend to marry me and I was a bit nervous, the booking was made originally as a birthday present for my girlfriend, her birthday is the 30th December and I wanted to make a huge fuss as it is a day before hogmany now the second most important date in my life. Stef was very helpful in arranging this, we had a big happy birthday, champagne with sparklers and everyone singing and getting involved, once Stef had poured the champagne, I popped the question to my girlfriend (now fiance) and the whole place clapped and we have some very happy memories to take away. Not to overshadow the food or the wine available, both of which were very good, as we were with friends we all tasted each others meals and were very happy, my party was 7 people and 7 out of 7 were very happy with the food (important) wine (very important) staff being friendly (important) me getting married (coming soon) Stef and his staff are very welcome to join in - not for a while yet but they will be very welcome - thanks for a wonderful night.
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Adam Elder
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 7
Monday, January 02, 2012

Me and my fiancée went for a meal on new years eve. We've been here many times before and always return because it's such a great place to eat.

City's are abundant with bad restaurants over charging for poor food because they are catering for tourists that they know won't give them return custom. Through travels with my airline I've experienced many such restaurants.

However Stef's really is an exception, and is exceptional. You're always welcomed by an atmosphere that is as fantastic as the food. The food is fresh, tastes amazing, and you actually feel that you are getting a value-for-money portion size.

It's not very often that I can rave about a restaurant, but Stefs is well worth a visit.
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Adrian
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, January 01, 2012

what an amazing taste, the food is authentic and divine, the service was so friendly i felt like i was dining with friends.
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john rogers - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, December 15, 2011

well what can i say about stefs......AMAZING...FANTASTIC...FAB

i went to stefs for my birthday and i am so glad i did. the food was to die for and the service was fantastic..

as i said i went to stefs for my surprise birthday dinner and i totally enjoyed every minute of it. my partner book a table for 6 of us and when we got to stefs mr stefano greeted us and showed us to our table. ( A VERY PERSONAL TOUCH I FELT)

where do i start about the food..... fanbloodytastic.... the menu was fantastic and i enjoyed every mouthful....( compements to the chef)

i had the prawns to start and my god they was surperb.....followed by the spag bol and i felt like i was in heaven......it's the best .

as it was my birthday my partner asked stef to arrange a cake for me and that to was amazing... after we had all eaten stef put birthday music on and he and the staff all walked my cake over and started singing happy birthday to me...i was so touched by that as you dont offen get that in a busy restaurant....

going to stefs for my birthday was the iceing on the cake...... cant wait to go again....

all i can say is well done to stefano and all the staff for having such a fantastic restaurant..... brilliant...
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claire
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Went to stefs last night with my girl friend and had an absolutely amazing meal.

We opted to go for skip the starters and head straight for the mains. I chose the veal in a wild mushroom sauce whilst my girl friend had scallops covered in Parma ham.

Both main courses were extremely tasty, however a couple of the pieces of ham wrapped around the scallops were extremely chewy and let what was otherwise a fantastic dish down slightly.

We opted to split profiteroles for dessert, and they were so delicious that I was tempted to order another portion.

The waiters certainly made us feel welcome however the service was sometimes lacking. Having asked two waiters for the bill I was kept waiting for 15 mins and was told by one to be patient - hardly something I expect to be told when bringing a bill takes such an inordinate period of time.

Overall the food was amazing, slightly let down by the lazy nature of one or two waiters - something that could be easily rectified through greater communication between staff.
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Kb
7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Sunday, November 27, 2011

I took a old friend to Stef's last night thinking from the reviews it would be a lovely restaurant with a great vibe- how wrong was I! From the moment we walked in I knew this wasn't going to be the meal I had envisaged. Although I had booked the table 2 days in advance we were placed right by the door and on top of a couple clearly enjoying a date- the waiter explained that the restaurant was fully booked- although at this time it was virtually empty!

The complimentary Bellini we received was flat - which they virtually threw at us! We had two different waiters serving us that clearly did not communicate- as they kept approaching and rushing us to order. Once we had ordered the party of people that had arrived after us were served first. When the food did arrive it was below average quality and virtually tasteless- both of our meals- the king prawn tagliatelle and the spinach wrapped chicken. We had decided on having dessert rather than a starter, which again tasted processed and lacked Italian spirit.

When the bill came we were left for over 20 minutes waiting to pay, and when I refused to pay the service charge I was greated with a real attitude problem and a guilt trip! Outrageous! A tip should be earned NOT demanded!

My advice stay clear- there are far better Italians in London.
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1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Thursday, November 24, 2011

I booked a table for 16 people plus a baby at Stef's for my 40th birthday meal. There is always a worry that with such a large party, food and service can be patchy. But I needn't have worried. Stef and his staff were brilliant.

We were greeted warmly and the service was fantastic. Food and drink were brought promptly, together and with effortless efficiency. All with a smile and good humour.

All my friends had a great time and commented on what a great restaurant for the food, service and atmosphere.

I would strongly recommend this restaurant for a party meal or just to have a nice meal and escape the crowds on oxford street.
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EmJ - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 24, 2011