Assaggi

I've eaten here 4 or 5 times. About a year apart. I ate there last week and won't be going back. Working backwards, I think the non-itemised bill is an insult. I paid £165 plus tip for 2 starters, 2 mains, 1 pudding and two coffees and 3 glasses of wine and 1 glass of pudding wine. . The bill was a series of figures with no attributed items. I asked for an explanation and got - 'That figure (£38) is the starters, that figure (£58 ) is the mains' and so on. The implication if you question it is that they are being dishonest and they got quite tetchy when I asked for an explanation. This is surely unacceptable, no matter how rich your clientele.

The food is variable. At this price and a Michelin star it shouldn't be. The starters were fine, if frighteningly expensive. Burrata with cullatello was delicious, my partners crab was exactly that, crab. But 38 quid for the two! Then she had the fritto misto, which was frankly dull, and I had the thigh of spring lamb, which was exactly that. Very undistinguished, a bit tough , and 29 quid. The wine by the glass was fine.

People remark on the slow service - but it would be bearable if the food was worth the money; and the decor, which is a series of monocolour canvases on magnolia walls, is not for looking at. But in the end you have to come to the conclusion that this is where you come if you have so much money you don;t need to look at the bill - Stella McCartney and a pop star were in last time we were there.; So why did I go back four times? It used to be better. I like the room. It was lunch, and cheaper. And Hereford Rd hadn't opened.

But now it has. Tom Pemberton (ex head chef at St John Bread and Wine) has a great operation in this restaurant immediately behind Assaggi in Hereford Rd. I watched a roast leg of lamb come out of the kitchen there last week and it was MILES ahead of Assaggi. It's cheaper, the food is better, and the service is delightful. And Lucien Freud and Peter Bazalgete were in last time I was there.

And the reviewer who mentions The Ledbury is absolutely right. It's very good indeed. The set lunch is London's best bargain, and if you go for dinner, there's a mortgage broker next door.
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chris wallis
5 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 3
Friday, May 27, 2011

i don't understand the bad reviews of this place. very authentic , wonderful cooking and the place is one of the last non branded venues in london. outstanding!!!
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pete Hutchison
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 14, 2010

Having lived in Notting Hill for some time and been somewhat spoilt for choice on amazing restaurants, we only got around to trying Assaggi last night and we were thoroughly DISAPPOINTED. The service was by no means Michelin starred, the food was very bog standard, the table was too small for the 4 of us and the decor of the restaurant was more like a tired cafe than a Michelin starred restaurant. To add to all this, the bill was very expensive for what we had, which was basically more like a cheap Italian restaurant above a pub style food. I would not visit this restaurant again let alone recommend it. If you want an amazing restaurant in Notting Hill at Michelin starred quality go to The Ledbury - it is amazing and lives up to all expectations. You can't compare the two.
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Sarah
2 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, March 03, 2010

Unfortunately I got dragged to this place. I will have to say that the service is non existent! Slow, slow, slow. Food was good but the decor is boring...
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Paula
4 Overall rating
Food 4 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Thursday, February 25, 2010

A genuinely delightful evening, incredibly friendly staff, delicious food and a very warm atmosphere. Very deserved of its Michelin star. Although hard to get a table, expect high prices, but excellent value. Food was indescribable and the ingredients obviously high quality. Maître d' was pleasant, as was all the staff. Highly recommended.
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10 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Was not impressed: £160 for 2 people, with 1 bottle wine, 2 mains, 1 starter and 1 side dish between us.

Beef carpaccio was very good, however we ordered fish maincourses which were really not up to scratch. We love good simple Italian food, as it lets the ingredients shine through. The ingredients were sadly not up to scratch, and we had a battered mixed fish dish which was mainly rubbery in texture, and a baked turbot, which although well executed didn't taste good at all. Steer away from the fish next time. Portions were reasonably sized, and wine list is very good. However we both felt a bit let down as we had high expectations for this restaurant.
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lisa
5 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Saturday, August 22, 2009

There seem to be very extreme views on this restaurant! I ate there last night (Feb 2009) and thought I'd summarise my own (more balanced!) view:

- The main reason to go is the food itself. Our table of four each had starter, main course and dessert and the food was excellent quality - my pork belly was absolutely perfect and the veal was also delicious. Very generous portions, nicely presented and good side dishes. Much better than what I expected, as I often find that critically-acclaimed Italian restaurants are TOO simple/ rustic, but Assaggi's dishes were quite adventurous for an italian.

- The biggest negative was the service. The staff were perfectly pleasant, but the service was VERY slow. We arrived at 8pm and didn't get asked for our orders until after 9pm (although we did get served drinks).

The atmosphere was better than I expected - the room is warmly decorated and the restaurant was full.

If you like good quality & well presented italian food, you will enjoy assaggi... but be prepared to wait!
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7 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Friday, February 20, 2009