Sarracino

One of the finest Italian restaurants in London. My husband and I visit Sarracino's once a week (at least) and absolutely adore it. The food is always excellent and the service warm and friendly. The wine list is extensive and the menu a lovely mix of fresh fish, pasta and pizza. I would highly recommend for a fun and/or romantic evening....the atmosphere is buzzy and relaxed and the staff super efficient. An absolute must!!
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C Robinson
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 02, 2010

I decided to eat in at Sarracino despite a very disappointing pizza delivery (cold, and ridiculously sparse toppings), and came away disappointed, whilst not necessarily doubting the restaurant altogether.

Opting for swordfish steak, I naturally hoped it wouldn't be overdone. The dish arrived, and the fish was clearly nice and fresh. The outer areas were good; just done, very fleshy, the steak as a whole not seasoned much and not very hot - but off to a reasonable start overall. However, the inner areas were underdone quite severely. Swordfish - as far as I could judge (and a bit of Googling confirmed when I got back) - should not be treated how one can do tuna, i.e. seared and still quite pink in the middle. This was bordering on raw, with that gelatinous texture you might get in a fish element of sushi. The accompaniment, of slices of marinated yellow and red peppers, was of a slimy texture, which accentuated the issue. The balsamic I could have done without (personal preference - I don't quite get the obsession with balsamic), the sauteed potatoes were nice (non-greasy) though some were undercooked. I asked for tomato sauce and received the juice from a tin of plum tomatoes in a bowl - I was sure this was misunderstanding - but surprising anyway. I should have asked for "ketchup" and then fair enough if an Italian restaurant wouldn't provide this.

Side of rocket, cherry tomatoes and Parmesan was generous, and fine - and the bread which was provided at the start - was delicious - chewy, wonderful crust.

Wine by the glass - only one option per red and white - but the red, a Merlot, was delicious.

Service was prompt and polite, though the waitress seemed surly and offish - however without wishing to sound rude I think this was just her character and nothing ill-meaning.

Overall - the special on that day implied a restaurant of some quality - but if preparing something like swordfish the skill-level should be pretty much spot-on. On this occasion it wasn't, and I came away dissatisfied and with a lighter wallet.

Friend's pizza was OK, though a little soggy centered, but his chocolate pastry tart was excellent.

I might try again, but not for a while.
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Tom - View all reviews by this user
6 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Sunday, July 25, 2010

I used to love going to Sarracino's but the last two times we've been have been really disappointing. The owner is constantly in a bad mood, the waiters who are different from 18 months ago are utterly unremarkable and have a slightly superior attitude. They seem to have added a few more tables which means that you feel really cramped/ The portions are a lot smaller as well! Am soooo sad as I used to love this restaurant!!!
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catharine
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Friday, April 02, 2010

Went on a Sunday evening. The starters were excellent (I had a carpaccio of tuna). Mains had some unusual dishes. The one I chose did not work but maybe I was unlucky. Wine was fine and resaonably priced. One of our party had a steak which was a decent size and cooked exactly to order. Presentation of the dishes was good.

The one thing I did not like was the service. It was perfectly polite but over-attentive and there were two, one waiter, one waitress who did not communicate so that after one had come round to fill the wine glasses the next one arrived 30 seconds later and this went on throughout the meal even after I had twice asked we be left to pace ourselves with the wine. I thought this spoilt an otherwise reasonable experience.
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Jeremy - View all reviews by this user
5 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 5
Sunday, February 28, 2010

the pizza and the food are really good. However, we had a really bad experience with the staff (expecially with the manager) which was really upsetting and really made me no longer want to visit this place. Just to highlight, my boyfriend and I used to order deliveries worth at least £25 once a week, so we really were regular customers.

Thursday 29th Oct we decided with some friends to go and dine at the restaurant.

I ordered my pizza with extra topping but got it without it so had to send it back. Also, having told to the lady there that we are regular customers and having spent like £90 we ironically joked on whether they could offer us some Limoncello, but the waiter, which a shocked face, just told us " you need to order wine in order to get the Limoncello offered" . we were like.. " oh ok.. nevermind".

then we asked for the bill and we split the bill between card and cash. When the waitress handed out to us the receipt we noticed that we had been overcharged of £5. Obviously we said to them, who came with the calculator to sort out the problem" we were right so gave us money back.

When we expressed to the manager our concern about the service we received and also about how we got answered concerning the LImoncello, we didnt know yet that our real concern really hadnt come out yet.

he replied to us that he believes that his staff is great and is performing a great job. He also shockingly SUGGESTED US to GO SOMEWHERE ELSE IF WE ARE NOT HAPPY WITH THEIR SERVICE. HE ALSO SAID THAT SARRACINO IS NOT A RESTAURANT BUT IT IS AN "OSTERIA" which in Italian means "porterhouse" so if we want more high standard service we need to Look for another place.

well, this is just not true, because Sarracino sign outside says RISTORANTE PIZZERIA and doesnt mention at all about the OSTERIA. so I expect to get a decent table service.

thats sad AND I wont come back or order any other deliveries from this place, which is a shame cos i really liked it, but as the Manager suggested me ..I WILL GO SOMEWHERE ELSE.. EVEN BETTER!
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Serena
5 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Sunday, November 01, 2009

My girlfriend and I have been 'regulars' at Sarracino for at least 3 years.

We go at least once a week, normally on a Friday night, when it is very busy, but the staff has always gone out of their way to accommodate us.

We are both Italian and we reckon this to be the most authentic Italian restaurant and pizzeria in London.

The food is extremely good, pizza can beat italian standards (and we are very fussy about it), starters are both well presented and very tasty, pasta is delicious.

One word about the atmosphere and the service. It is simply great, and this is something you cannot always find in Italian restaurants abroad, where staff can be either too intrusive or too careless.

At Sarracino they are attentive and they give you that touch of 'familiarity' that makes you want to come back again and again.

A big thank to Anna, Roberto and all the others for doing your job with passion. That's the secret of your success.
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Mauro and Cinzia
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, June 01, 2009

Went to Sarracino last night with my girl friend, and living in West Hampstead there is an abundance of Pizza and Indian. Being in the mood for real Italian food, we chose Sarracino after a friend recommended it. Great service, no reservations on a Wed (didnt think we would need one) and sat right down. I had the taglietelle with veal sauce, and she had the veal and eggplant tombolino (i think thats the name). The taglietelle was fantastic, you can always tell whether or not an Italian restaurant is good if they make a great veal bolognese, the pasta was fresh and perfectly cooked, and the sauce was meaty and had a great taste. The veal/eggplant dish was delicious, crispy eggplant and pounded tender veal layered with potato cream sauce and truffle oil.... amazing.. Those two dishes with 2 starters, and a decent bottle of red.. with tip came to £70.. Definitly our go to italian from now on.
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SeanP
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 9
Thursday, May 28, 2009

I used to go to sarracino with my parents about once a month, and have now started going with my patner. It has the most wonderful food, as an italian myself i dont think you will find anything closer to the real deal anywhere else than there.

The food is fantastic, the serivce is fantastic and its not too expensive either, and the atmosphere is wonderful, it gives you such a buzz!

10/10
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Tan
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, May 21, 2009

This place is fantastic. Friendly 'family' feel with amazing service, good value and great food.
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Michael
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, March 02, 2009

Went to Sarracino once again with my husband and had fantastic meal there as usual. Every time I go there I can't believe that the food can be that tasty and so authentically Italian in London and staff is very efficient and friendly. We have our own Italy here in NW6!!!
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Wife of Borat
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 16, 2009