Stef's

Stef is a brilliant host and has a gem of a place.

Organising a friend's hen-do, I had to find a good restaurant in central London that would serve good food, have a great atmosphere, be able to cope with a big group and be good value for money. I found it all and more at Stef's.

I decided to give Stef's a 'trial run' before the hen dinner, and went along on a Saturday night with my boyfriend. We had a wonderful meal - my boyfriend's pizza was everything you'd hope for from a genuine Italian restaurant and my pasta was delicious. We were also very impressed with the house wine, which I knew would please the hens! My boyfriend and I were perfectly looked after by Stef and his team, and I knew it was the perfect place for the hen dinner.

We were given a warm welcome when we arrived on mass, and everyone was amazed that there was such a fantastic restarurnt just off Oxford Street, and at such good value.

Stef's is the perfect place for a meal when you're in town - having been both with a group and as a couple, I know it suits all occassions, and the atmosphere and welcome make it truly feel like your "local Italian". I would reccommend it to anyone and everyone.
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Alex - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, June 15, 2008

My boyfriend and I have just had a lovely meal at Stef's, and we'll definitely be going back again! The food was first rate, and the service friendly and attentive without being bothersome. The atmosphere and surroundings were smart but relaxed, just right for a meal out after work. We started with Bellinis and olives and decided to forego starters so we could leave room for dessert! I had tomato and cheese gnocchi followed by vanilla ice-cream - simple food, but cooked to absolute perfection. Vanilla ice-cream is often overlooked as a "boring" choice but when it's made properly with real vanilla seeds, it's heavenly. My boyfriend had rigatoni with sausage and tomato and basil sauce, which was a special that day. He very much enjoyed this, and says that the wine he had with it complemented it perfectly. His dessert was honey and cinnamon sponge pudding, which he says was "just f***** glorious"!

I'll definitely be bringing my friends here, it's a gem of a place. Cheers Stef!
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Antonia
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Thursday, June 12, 2008

I was treated by (to quote Stefano, the owner) my "beautiful young lady" to a weekend in London as a birthday surprise. Being a Stef myself and loving italian food, there really was only one choice and what a choice it turned out to be!

Everything about the place was what I look for in a restaraunt. The atmosphere, the service, the food, the wine - I simply could not fault any of it, least of all the friendly and charismatic owner!

It made a special occasion even more special - the feel of a busy local italian smack bang in the centre of London was so refreshing, something I thought impossible.

My only gripe is that I live so far away! But if I'm in the capital again my first port of call will be Stef's for dinner!
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Stef
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, May 26, 2008

stefano, after reading the wonderful reviews on here, they only compliment me and my wife's views on you and your first-class eaterie. Your family made our meal so very memorable and your delightful jokes and chatter will remain with us for the rest of the year. What sublime food, and WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE!!!!

We will definitely be coming to your restaurant again - if you'll have us?!! say yes - we promise to be good and eat all our greens!
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Robert Smith
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 22, 2008

Spent a very happy evening to celebrate my daughter's birthday at Stef's! We were to be eight in all and did not all arrive at the same time. My wife and I had travelled from Cumbria that day and arrived earlier than expected: we were welcomed by Stef himself (how rare is that in a London restaurant of repute?) with a new wine to taste! Daughter and son and sundry partners and friends arrived as their work schedules allowed. This did not phase Stef and his admirable staff in the least.

Stef's is a restaurant without pretension: it simply offers good cooking, imaginative menus, a commendable wine list (try the new Sicilian red!), a pleasant environment, attentive staff and all at reasonable prices - what more can one want in a restaurant? We were able to spend the whole evening there - no pressure for a second sitting at our table.

I read one review suggesting that those enjoying a meal at Stef's must be used to eating at McDonalds. I'm not sure which planet that reviewer was on, but he was not in the same Stef's in Berners Street that I was in! And for the record, I do not patronise the aforesaid chain.

Stef's is not chasing Michelin stars: they want to provide a memorable eating experience, with enjoyable food and a bill that does not leave a sour taste.

Stef's does that - and more! It's a real find. Go try it! We will surely return on our next trip to London next month.
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Chris
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

What a great little restaurant, just off Oxford street. A definite recomendation for those wanting to grab a bite to eat for lunch.

I have taken a number of business associates there and all have commented on how great the food is and service this place provides.

But what truly gives the place it's own little slice of uniqueness, is that the owner is always at the front of house greeting those who enter and making you feel very welcome.

With a number of establishments London has to offer, Stefs is one place well worth making a trip for.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, May 21, 2008

I loved the place. Very friendly staff, lovely food and wine. My friend and I had a good laugh with the manager. I loved dining at Stef's I will recommend it and go back that's for sure !
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Julie B
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 02, 2008

Ladies at lunch - I had travelled down with my mother, mother-in law and Sister- in law for some light retail therapy before going to Hairspray (which Is fabulous, by the way).

We decided we wanted a bite to eat before the show and happened to come accross Stef's, we were welcomed warmely into a cosy atmosphere by our cheerful waiter, it was rather quiet (but we were eating an early dinner).

To start with we had a heathly serving of olives along with a nice glass of Pinot Grigio, I had one of the specials for my main - Gamberoni Diavola, which was a perfect size serving of garlic king prawn with Risotto and a delicious sauce! to finish i had the Limoncello ice cream with crushed meriangue, truely scrumptious! We had a lovely time and would definately go there again!

Molto deliziosi
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Helen
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, April 28, 2008

I wanted to take my mother to a special restaurant for her birthday and after reading all the good reviews on Stef's I decided to go there. I'm very happy with my decision!

The menu is excellent, offering a very complete range for starters, pizza and chef's specialities among others. I had steak off the specialities menu on recommendation of one of the waiters, my mother opted for the Sophia Lauren seafood pasta. We were both delighted with our main courses, and the tiramisu for desert was also delicious. Stef himself attended to us very carefully and we felt very well taken care of thanks to his warm and personal hospitality. The restaurant itself has a very stylish and polished look, and the friendly staff create a very inviting atmosphere .

We were very happy with the overall experience and we both hope to return very soon. I would recommend Stef's to anyone who enjoys quality Italian food!
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Ali
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, April 25, 2008

Went to Stefs with the Times 3 courses for £10 deal. My boyfriend ordered off the Times menu. But I decided to order off the regular menu. I ordered pasta with 'fresh tuna' and asked for it to be rare. What arrived were cubes of tuna that could have just been from a tin. I wouldn't have minded if the waiter allowed me to have parmesan on my pasta but he refused saying 'You don't have parmesan on seafood thats why you weren't offered'...whatever the etiquette is, isn't it the customers decision? We were offered the dessert menu but it wasn't made clear that this was included in the Times offer so we declined it. Anyway the bill came and the waiter said that he hadn't charged us extra for the main course I ordered off the regular menu. But he shouldn't of charged us extra anyway because my boyfriend only had 2 courses (instead of the 3 included in the deal) and I had one main that was on the menu at £9.95.....which he charged us £10 for....so all in all we paid 5p over!

Anyway enough rambling...the waiters were nice, so perhaps it was just a series of misunderstandings!
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Thursday, April 24, 2008