Giardinetto

First time I dined at Giardinetto was when I was visiting London and was referred to them by my Hotel Concierge. I was looking for a fine dining restaurant and that is exactly what I got. I am from a city where there are many fine dining restaurants, so it takes a lot to impress me. The place is quaint, discrete, and sophisticated with an incredibly good food and great service. If this is what you are looking for, then Giardinetto is the place to try. It's not big, not over the top, it's just CLASSY. There is a unique character and qualities that are visible in the non-overbearing staff who are efficient but discrete and the presentation of food. This is not your ordinary Italian restaurant, the food is like art and it tastes amazing. You almost don't want to touch it. Makes you think how much work goes into preparing a simple starter that looks like it belongs in a modern art museum. This is QUALITY. The staff is elegant and so efficient that I hardly noticed when my plates were changed and my wine glass refreshed. Very smooth, professional, and most importantly attentive. I have been regularly dining in this jewel of London and will be recommending this experience to anyone who likes good Italian food taken to another level, class, and great (not in your face) service.
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Jasmine
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, September 18, 2006

I was expecting a great experience ( this is what a friend told me ) but I was really disappointed... The food was good but i can't say the same thing for the service.The wine list is incredible but you should have someone knowlegeble to explain you undread of wines...Our sommelier wasn't able to suggest something different from Barolo and Brunello... I was expecting something better. In general the service was slow ( even if the restaurant wasn't full...) .For more than 150 head there are plenty of restaurant were i should go.
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Elios
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, August 05, 2006

We ended up at this restaurant purley by chance. I was a little bit intimidated by the starkness of the resturant at first and did feel a little out of place in my jeans, but the staff were so friendly and welcoming, i soon relaxed into the calming atmosphere.

Although the service was slow, the food was well worth the wait, not only did it look beautiful, it tasted totally fab!

The wine menu is extensive - we went for a lovely pink champagne in the end!

We received complimentary coffees and petti fores, which I thought was a very nice touch. The bill was reasonable and the food worth every penny.

I will definatly be returning next time I am up in London!
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Louise Alger
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, July 05, 2006

I had a dinner in this restaurant with a friend ‘cause all the reviews that they received for the sommelier and the wine list.

The service was really slow and the food was good but a bit overpriced ( with the same money I would eat in Locanda Locatelli or Zafferano ) . The wine list is the best point of this restaurant with a lot of unknown wines. But when I asked the sommelier for some suggestion I was surprised to discover that he was able to suggest only the common , famous name… Barolo , Brunello and Amarone.This is a shame!! I don’t mind to spend money for a real food experience but this time we paid more than 250 pounds ( obviously wine included ) for an average meal. I will be back definitively to check if that was a bad day.
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Patrick
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Monday, April 10, 2006

I went for lunch and was really impressed. The menu was extremely inventive - classics with a modern twist and the food exceptional.

The only down-side was that we only had a short time available for lunch but the waiting staff were super-efficient and attentive without being over-bearing.

I would definitly eat here again - but in the evening so I could stay for longer!
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Katie Ryalls
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, April 03, 2006

I went to Giardinetto with a group of friends for lunch and the first thing that stood out was the friendly waiters who made sure that every glass was full, and every crumb was removed from the table.

We had a mixture of starters, my favourites being the Octopus and Scallops, and the petit fours we had with our coffee were so divine, I almost didn't notice the amount of icing sugar I dropped all over myself!

The decor was really cool; I liked the lights on the back wall that changed colours as we were eating!

I would definitely go back and recommend anyone who likes cutting edge food, to give it a try.
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Annika
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, March 31, 2006

I went to Giardinetto the other week for lunch with a group of girlfriends. Its a very smart restaurant and has an excellent value for money set lunch.

We shared a few starters of Octopus, Scallops and Veal they were all yummy!

My main course was Genovese Minestrone, which was fantastic - but do not be put off by the pea green colour, it is the pesto -and the taste was amazing.

We did not order any desserts but petit fours were served with the coffee, which were melt in your mouth divine.

I look forward to returning their very soon.

SL 30/03/06
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 30, 2006

I had a dinner a couple of weeks ago at Giardinetto with my wife. We choose this restaurant owing to a very high praise from a trustworthy friend. Everything was more than impeccable. Food was superbly presented and flavour was no less. We had a Solaria Jonica 1945 almost impossible to find even in Italy.Service was discrete and efficient. Price were in line with the quality.The only negative side was the toilets door too heavy to open. My wife spent good 5 minutes waiting outside the lavatory thinking it was engaged whilst it was not but she simply could not open the door until staff intervention. In a restaurant of this level such failure is ridiculous.

MT Friday March 3rd 2006
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Mark Tilley
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, March 24, 2006

I live in Ny and love Italian food. I was in London for few days on business and the concierge of my hotel in Park Lane suggested I tried Giardinetto, he said "I sent few clients and they all loved it!". So I follow the advice and went there with a friend. I had the best meal I ever had, everything was so delicate and tasty, I wish we have something like this in NY! Jon
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jon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Thursday, March 23, 2006

I had a fantastic dinner, the food was amazing so fresh and tasty - have not experience such good food until now. We were in a group of 6 and all the dishes where to die for. Such details in the food was appreciated and the petits fours which they serve at the end of your meal which was like a dessert just melted in your mouth - something I would enjoy in the morning with a good coffee.

Service was good - relaxed and professional. We had a great time! Thank you.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 23, 2006