Bertorelli (Frith Street)

Possibly the worst dining experience I have had in London. After previously enjoying a meal here with 2 friends, I took a group of 11 people last night.

Having booked, we were seated quickly but we did not see a waiter until several minutes later when I stood up and called one. That was the first of three times during the evening that I had to get up to request service.

The drinks took ages to arrive, as did the food. At £23 per bottle, the wine we drank was so awful that we sent one of the bottles back. Their lamb ravioli with peas is a great dish but the portions are too small, and their pizzas are completely mediocre.

Other bug-bears included the underaged manager with a body-odour problem, the badly adjusted lighting, and the gimmicky plastic calculator in which they deliver the bill.

I will not be returning.
Comment on this reader review

Richard Brady
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Saturday, September 06, 2008

A warning to potential diners at Bertorelli's restaurant in Frith Street. Arrived at 9:30pm, table for four, ordered some bread and olives and the waiter came back to say they were finished. Not a good sign in retrospect.

The antipasto came with under-grilled aubergine, tinned artichoke hearts and some lack-lustre bruschetta amongst the meat.

The main pasta dishes were woefully small and there seemed to be no difference in size between my friends 'starter portion' of risotto and my 'main portion' of spaghetti mariscas. Plenty of difference in the price though with mine costing £12.95 and her's nearer £8.

As for the quality, the pasta was al dente but the accompanying seafood was rubbery and lacking in taste. The risotto with mushrooms was overcooked without enough creamy texture. To be fair the tortellini was better and actually had some enjoyable flavour.

The service had been friendly and helpful up until I complained about the miniscule size of the platefuls - then we didn't see our waiter again. No surprise there.

To leave a restaurant hungry after paying £120.00 was a total disgrace and they should be ashamed. There are so many Italian restaurants in Soho - my advice is to pick a better one.
Comment on this reader review

Ed Partridge
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, June 18, 2008

I ate here in the summer of 07 with a friend, and had a good experience. Returning in January 08, however, was very different. The toilets were dirty and poorly maintained and - worst of all - the food was pretty rank. We ordered a couple of pizzas; both turned up smothered in cheese and with puddles of oil on top. The bases reminded me of those garlic bread pizzas you can get from supermarkets.

On the plus side, the service was fine and we were served in good time. We decided not to risk any more food, so it's possible other items on the menu (which has a large pizza section) are less disappointing.

But on Sunday lunchtime this place was all but deserted - it's possible others are now giving a once pleasant place the cold shoulder.
Comment on this reader review

Neiltosh
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Sunday, January 20, 2008

Went to a Christmas party at this restaurant - we were in an amazing beautifully decorated private room.

There was about 30 in the group , we had delicious italian style canapes, lovely friendy service & great cocktails.

The staff were great really attentive without being intrusive.

Would I go again? Absoultutely seriously considering it for my up and coming 40th next year.

Highly reccomended
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

My company just had its Christmas do at Bertorelli on Frith Street. We had such a great time and we were looked after extremely well. After having a disasterous christmas party last year we were really nervous about relying on a restaurant for a Christmas party this year. Right from the reservation the team at Bertorellis made me feel very welcome. The food was delivered exactly how I expected and the staff were friendly, efficent and full of the Christmas spirit. All my collegues commented on the fantastic atmosphere the restaurant had and how great the food was. We will definitley book again next year.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

this was the worst food experiecne i have encountered for a very long time.we had a party of twelve for our christmas dinner.the waitress service was terrible.first starters & main course turned up together,i had pizza ,as i thought that shoud be ok.how wrong i was.i have had much better from the supermarket.there was no bread and oil served until after asking two times.it turned up midway though our main meal/starter.a few had steak ,which they later complained about later with having stomach aches,the fries weren,t much better,and to top it off two of our party were cover with olives & oil while they hurriedly cleared out table.with a bill of nearly £400 this is one place we won,t be visiting again.
Comment on this reader review

pablo
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 1
Monday, December 17, 2007

Visited here on Saturday night. Time : 7pm.

Restaurant busy but had pre-booked and was seated quickly.

Pleasant surroundings and decor.

Given menus and delivered drinks order quickly.

Had Goats cheese ( with a beetroot and walnut salad ) to start which was magnificent. Partner had bruschetta which was fairly standard.

Mains were Canneloni ( with a duck filling ) which again was extremely tasty and innovative. Partner had a chicken dish with a salsa & new potatoes again very good ( but she did prefer mine ! )

Dessert was a large italian style ice-cream with ameretti in the base. Again spot on.

Service in here was spot on considering how busy it was with approx 15-20 mins between courses. Empty plates taken away quickly.

All in all a very pleasant experience and would visit again. Staff not overly fussing over you which I find refreshing.
Comment on this reader review

Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, December 02, 2007

Went here a few days ago, Tuesday night 5 of us. Seated very quickly.

Food - great we all liked our starters, mains and deserts.

Service that night seemed to be ok then turned poor, had to wait ages for all 3 courses, even the drinks took their time too (didn't mind as old friends were catching up). They definitely didn't deserve the 12.5% levied service charge.

But as I have said the food was very good. Would I go back - yes, Tip - No, the only tip I would give would be "get some decent staff"!!!!

5 people - the full works, with wine worked out £25 a head, not bad at all
Comment on this reader review

Viper
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, August 10, 2007

I visited this restaurant last night for a pre theatre ticket and meal deal. It was quiet but pleasant and the food was tasty and well portioned. The waiter was friendly and chatty, unlike their precious and self important counterparts in nearby establishments.

The pre theatre menu was limited however and when we overheard the waiter at another table explaining the specials which sounded very tempting we ended up wishing we had booked our tickets and meal seperately.

As first visits go this place seemed very likeable and we shall definitely return.
Comment on this reader review

M Purley
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Thursday, May 17, 2007

Gohere often, but only due to good location and ease of getting a table. Service is hit and miss and portions small. great location in the summer when small patio area open. Have had the wrong food brought before (which was corrected when we asked) and have waited ages for drinks. Occasionally have a pianist which adds a bit of atmosphere.
Comment on this reader review

Lorenzo
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Thursday, May 10, 2007