Bertorelli (Plough Place)

Just had lunch here today, 30th April. Stepped inside and expected to be welcomed but was left standing there for 5 minutes wondering where the staff were. Then someone appeared, did not say "Good Afternoon" or "Welcome"- but instead said "Are you alright there?" from inside the restaurant, as if I was standing there as a pastime. Once inside the menu looked good, but I had to ask four times for a glass of wine (the first order for a glass of red and three repeated requests after they brought white).

Food was OK and served quickly; spaghetti was well cooked but a few penne in there spoiled the idea that they had a professional kitchen.

No-one asked through the meal if it had been good. At the conclusion they provided an electronic questionaire, but still did not ask about the meal.

On leaving, reception was again un-manned (the same guy was laying new tables for the evening, but not looking out to reception). I claimed my own coat, but what a poor lack of security on a restaurant in central london. I won't be going back, nor to Covent Garden where I have also experienced a poor service.
Comment on this reader review

alchemist
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I won`t be going back here in a hurry.

Me & my friends went for a meal last night & I can definitely say this was the worst meal & service I have ever received.

We ordered drinks, which took about half an hour to come, we had to ask for the bread & oils but the bread turned up without the oils, so we had to ask for that again. The main meals we ordered were all cold & one of the side dishes never turned up. When we spoke to the manager, we were not given an apology & just said lets not worry about that, what else do you want. We proceeded then to order 3 pizzas, as the woman said they would be very quick & with us within a few minutes. 2 of pizzas turned up pretty quickly but one of my friends didn`t get theirs. We kept on asking where it was & after about 20 minutes the manager said that they had forgotten but were just cooking it now. As we had to get going, my friend had to get it in a takeaway box. So all in all, it wasn`t great at all.
Comment on this reader review

Angela
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

This is without a doubt the worst restaurant I have ever been to in all my life. I took a client here today and was not only embarrassed by the incompetence of the waiting staff but horrified by the totally revolting food. I am absolutely furious to have been taken for such a ride and when I requested a discount I was given £14 off a bill that came to well over £100 for three of us!

To start me had scallops that were soggy thrown on a plate of lettuce covered ion water. I then ordered a fillet steak that was meant to come with a porcini sauce. What arrived was a slab of meat introduced to me by my inaudible waiter as sirloin and I assure you it was certainly not rare to say the least. My colleague and client were equally unimpressed. The gnocchi tasted of raw bread and the cod was the size of a fish finger and practically falling off the plate - the only other thing on the plate was a pathetic saucepan with what looked to me liked baked beans. As for their starters - enough said!

I would not send my worst enemy to the restaurant innless they want a really good laugh and enjoy watching waiters fight and literally sprint from table to table. Some serious training is needed here.
Comment on this reader review

Katie Trenchard
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 0
Thursday, December 13, 2007

This is a restaurant local to work, often frequented by the Executives. We went one lunchtime, but only booked 15 mins before leaving the office, we were told at the time of booking that here would be no problem with the late notice. When we arrive the restaurant was busy, almost, but not quite full.

We had to go over to the waiting staff to request drinks as nobody came to take the order - same for the food order and requesting the bill. Being a lunchtime we were pushed for time, but it took 1hour for the main course to arrive. Looking around, we were not the only ones in this situation. When mentioning this to the manager, she defensivly blamed it on us not booking the table until late. As an apology we were given discount cards.

I would think twice about booking this restaurant again for a business lunch, as the service is often slow and the atmosphere is noisy - too noisy for business discussions.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Sunday, January 14, 2007

Been here lots. Used to be livebait. Upstairs so called cafe area - only difference from restaurant is that they also do gigantic pizzas. The food is good, as is the service and ambience. Lunch for three with small amount to drink £80
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Monday, November 28, 2005