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.
View/Add comments (1)

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!!!
Comment on this reader review

pete Hutchison
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Thursday, October 14, 2010