Assaggi

When my girlfriend mentioned we were going to eat here, I looked at the reviews on this very website, seeing the low rating I asked her if she wanted to reconsider, but she had her mind set on Italian. I have to say I was a bit apprehensive.

We were greeted by a very animated chap who went to translate everything on the menu and answered all our questions with proper energy and passion.

I ordered a tuna tartare with capers and other tasty little bits 'n herbs. The antipasto dishes for the rest of our company were large in size and all looking very fresh.

For mains I had the Veal, with was substantial and cooked just right, covered with grilled onions and a fine garlic sauce. I would say the food is very homley, the ingredients are fresh and the portions generous, it is however on the pricey side. The wine was a full bodied and went great with the meal. The decor is simple but relaxed as is the atmosphere, nica and casual, the restaurant was fully booked and chatty, it stands above a modest pub on the quiet Chepstow place.
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Will Heys - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, July 09, 2008

I have to agree with 90% of the reviews of this restaurant. We found the maitre d' incredibly rude as he told a friend who had joined us for a pre dinner drink "to leave as it was his restaurant". He then went on to describe a unappealing menu that had relatively few choices of any interest. When the food arrived it was tasteless, poorly prepared and served with no finesse whatsoever. During the evening we had to ask for a wine glasses to be filled several times by mutiple wait staff none of whom actually seemed to be taking responsibilty for our table.

In summary I would say there multiple choices across London that do a better job of Italian food with more atmosphere starting with Pizza Hut. All I can say is the guy from Michelin must have been the from the tyre factory not the restaurant review guide.
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Mike Culhane
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, June 29, 2008

Went their yesterday with four friends and and our views were similar ie that the food was no more than passable. The ingredients used were fine as was the actual quality of cooking. Unfortunately the food was very bland and the portions weren’t overly generous. The superb chocolate cake and ice cream I had were the highlight of an otherwise mediocre menu.

The service was fine and the atmosphere was quite buzzy considering there was no music and the dining room was relatively small. Overall could not understand why it was so highly rated by the critics, especially when there are some really excellent alternatives at this price points.
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shez
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Sunday, May 18, 2008

I totally agree. This place is a complete con. I didnt even know it had a michelin star. The wine was fine but the food really mediocre and very mean portions. After a ridiculously over priced measly carpaccio we had mediocre gnocchi. Even though we ordered the main portion it was absolutely tiny. Chargrilled vegetables were boiled and tasteless and again a miniscule portion. When we complained about the vegetables ( the last straw) the waiter laughed at us. The atmosphere was non existant and the whole meal was rushed. Do not go here its a complete rip off, theres plenty more italian restaurants in the area serving better cheaper food
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nathan
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Monday, February 25, 2008

Went here for dinner last night, and after reading the reviews wasnt sure what to expect.. but was certainly not disappointed..

Yes the atmosphere is nearly non existant and the service was slow on occasions, but the maitre'd describing the menu, and the excellent food more than made up for it..

Really was excellent food, and ive eaten at lots of other great Italians.. will certainly return..

Al
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, October 03, 2007

This place has lost its charm. The food is blandish and the service is very lacklustre
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Paolo
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, September 06, 2007

Informal, friendly staff. It helps if you know your way round an Italian menu and order quickly. First courses of stuffed zucchini flowers and ricotta stuffed ravioli were classic and expertly executed, and tasted extremely fresh and well seasoned. Main course of carpaccio was generous, the fritto misto good too, all fresh and hot. The Panacotta was faultless.

It's an expensive place yes, but just about worth it to experience classic food made with really fresh ingredients.

An observation; we sat down, glanced at the menu and ordered the food and wine quickly. Our service from then on was prompt and professional. Those tables who laboured over the menu, and had to have everything explained to them in English, seemed to be taken less seriously.
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Nick
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 5
Monday, May 14, 2007

Do Not Go! Why the otherwise pretty reliable Michelin Guide awarded a star to this restaurant remains a complete mystery to my wife and myself who went there for lunch on a Saturday. The food offers nothing special, let alone justifies its horrendous price. It pales in comparison with virtually every Italian Restaurant in London. Locanda Locatelli is likewise expensive, but the food offers these fireworks for the palate which you expect from a star-awarded cuisine. As the Michelin Guide rightly points out it is rather the quality of the ingredients than intricate preparation techniques which characterize good Italian cooking. But a nice presentation of the food could not hide that Assaggi had neither and was more comparable to Zizi than L'Acento or Via Condotti. The latter two restaurants offer superb Italian dishes at very competitive prices. Finally, the poor service makes the experience of having been overcharged for average Italian food even worse. We had to wait for a while and ask repeatedly until one waitress was kind enough to translate to us the Italian-only menu. The level of disorganization was such that we were asked for our dessert wishes before we even had received our main courses. And while we were paying our overblown bill, the waitress could not even stay with us while I was typing in my pin number, as she "had to" join another table where she was enjoying a glass of wine with some friends of hers.... Do Not Go!
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Dirk Wiemer - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Sunday, May 13, 2007

This so called restaurant is terrible! The Maitre-D was so rude and arrogant, really spoilt my 40th birthday holiday. The menu is limited and quite bland for Sardegnian cuisine. and at over $US250 per person I have had better Italian in texas with fresher ingrediants.
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Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 1
Thursday, May 10, 2007

I am very surprised at the negative comments - we had a splendid and delicious meal with delightful service. One waitress was a little clumsy and inattentive but the headwaiter was charm and grace personified. The restaurant is very "casalinga" so I expected warm and human service rather than professional polish. The food was sublime - at the waiters recommendation we started with a shared plate of culatello (delicious). I then had a terrific seafoof lasagna and roast lamb. This is a great and fun night out - I recommend it highly.
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peter james hall
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, April 18, 2007