Luciano by Marco Pierre White

The trouble with celebrity chefs is that like with the grand old painting masters, they often leave it to others to do the work while they make their mint from their efforts.

I went with a business group for a lunch (yesterday). Who should be there but Marco Pierre White himself, smiling and laughing in a corner with friends. The surroundings are impressive and the service competent. Less so was the food. The calve's tongue's dressing was cloying and the halibut with lentils was good as far as it went; the accompanying vegetables were unimaginative with spinach dry and sauté potatoes overdone.

It's another over-priced restaurant where people like to be seen and say they've been there. But at 4pm, White was still there with a big grin on his face, so someone was happy.
Comment on this reader review

michael gannon
Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Thursday, June 08, 2006

Disagree with those who say the service is poor. We had a great evening. Have a drink in the bar first - good cocktails & funky decor. Restaurant was buzzing on Saturday evening we visited - no empty tables. Lovely big table for two of us. Very attentive staff & very friendly. Food was tasty, but so it should be as it is an expensive restaurant. Would recommend this restaurant for a fun night out in centre of town. Easily beats a lot of over priced & underwhelming central London restaurants.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Sunday, May 14, 2006

The food is good, (OF COURSE it is , it's a MPW place), but what really pleased me was the young, energetic friendly service: it can make or break a meal and this time it was spot on. Good decor too.
Comment on this reader review

westy
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, March 29, 2006

The food is great, the service and ambience average. My partner and I recently went and were served stale bread, and both the salt and pepper shakers were cracked and broken - quite strange for a restaurant that is trying so hard to be upscale.
Comment on this reader review

Claire
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Sunday, March 26, 2006

The setting is superb but the food is average (at best). The service is extremely poor - we waited quite a while to order despite the restaurant not being full and had to ask for the bill 3 times (we waited over 20 minutes for it). I won't go back and I wouldn't recommend it. In this price bracket there are some superb restaurants sadly this isn't one of them...
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 4
Monday, February 27, 2006

I went there on Tuesday for lunch with a friend, I am a great supporter of Marco and his style of food - I must say that his italian roots have most definetely been reflected in the menu. The room is very classical and you are surrounded by an impressive art collection. We shared the lobster spaghetti and followed by rump of lamb and a veal chop - dessert were amazing; tiramisu and semifreddo all accompanied by a very nice tuscan wine. On fault, the service was very much a flop but certainly compensated by the food and the magical touch of Marco - we will be back soon!
Comment on this reader review

john - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, February 15, 2006

I am really surprised by earlier comments about service. My husband and I ate here at lunchtime on Saturday and the service was absolutely faultless. Staff were extremely friendly and what is more important, highly professional and informed. No sense of lengthy waits, but no rush either. (Oh - and a lovely large round table for two - and there are lots of these). I had read the other contributors' comments before we went and so was watching out for slip-ups, but they beat me at my own game. All I can say is that we had a really enjoyable meal in a lovely setting and the staff made it even better.
Comment on this reader review

Trish
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 13, 2006

I went there the other evening with my girlfriend and her family. The overall opinion was that it was very average, the restaurant and bar look very nice, that was the best thing about the place. The menu was ok, the service was fine, the food was ok. I don't think we will be going back there anytime soon.
Comment on this reader review

Juan
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 6
Thursday, February 02, 2006

My partner and I went to this restaurant after reading good reviews and trusting that an MPW restaurant would be super! However we were harshly disappointed, after being greeted but stuffy unhelpful staff, we got to our table where the people next to us were complaining abut the dry fish. We sat down to a menu, which was disappointing and un-inspiring. I started with the Calamari, which had far too my chilli on it and was tough and rubbery followed after a 30mins wait by a under cooked risotto with largely the fat of the veal on top of it. My partners lobster spaghetti had one bit of lobster in it and was distinctly dull. When we final got the waiters attention we had a steep bill and we very unfulfilled. I am very disappointed and will not be returning.
Comment on this reader review

Natalie
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Thursday, January 26, 2006

I booked a table for eight for a business dinner and the first comments I received the next morning was how appalling the service was. Apparently they had to ask for menus and then again for a wine list and then again for them to take an order! Now you may expect this from a run of the mill restaurant. However, you'd think that the staff working at any MPW restaurant would be well trained. Disappointing when the staff let a place down as everyone commented how good the food was. Needless to say they won't be going there again. No wonder you can't get in to The Wolseley or Le Caprice but Luciano's always seems to have a table available! Another thing is they charge 12.5% service but still leave the gratuity box empty on the credit card slip. Then when you receive your copy it says 0.00 gratuity when you have in fact paid 12.5%!
Comment on this reader review

Irene Blanco - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Wednesday, January 25, 2006