Diavola Diavola
The Stratford Brasserie

The Stratford Brasserie

20 International Way Queen Elizabeth Olympic ParkE20 1FD, London, United Kingdom

Juice • High Tea • Cocktail • Bar-lounge


"The experience was marred from the start by the service. We were left standing at the wait here to be seated position. At least four members of staff stared straight at us and ignored us. No one came over to advise that a hostess would be along shortly. When a hostess did arrive, she told us we would have the table for one and half hours, which directly contradicts the booking terms on Open Table, which state two hours for a party of four.On being seated, when we asked what the composition was of the cocktail of the month Pornstar Spritz, we were told: is Champagne and some juice. Ignoring that the Champagne reference is incorrect, why can't waiters simply say that they don't know and fetch someone who does?After we replaced that waiter, the service improved, although a request to have roast beef cut from the rarer part of the joint was met with a look of complete confusion. Eventually, having been given a choice of medium or well done, I went with something else. The food was for the most part good, although my baked eggs were added to the dish too early and were consequently hard and the roast beef ordered by another member of the party was so well done that a cobbler would have rejected it. Ambience is good, in that the space is reasonably tasteful, but it is a cavernous hotel lobby space, so if you're looking for something intimate, look elsewhere. Prices are fine.The Riedel glassware is wasted this is never going to feel like a tasteful outing in the West End.The house Champagne is Perrier Jouet, which is better than most"

Apulia

Apulia

50 Long Lane London, EC1A 9EJ, United Kingdom

Sushi • Pizza • Seafood • European


"This is the cutest, most heart warming place this side of Italy. Apulia lies on the fringe of Farringdon meat market and serves up simple but delicious dishes all cooked up with the love of every Italian grandma. Choose your starter from burrata, stuzzicoso, bruschetta and prosciutto di parma and enjoy with a glass of prosecco. And then the real feast begins. It 's genuinely hard to choose from the array of comforting delights on offer: artisan ravioli stuffed with ricotta and mushrooms, served with sausage, cherry tomato and pecorino cheese, spaghetti alle vongole and risotto with asparagus with sicilian king prawns, believe it or not, all had to give way to bigger and better options. To whet the appetite, we indulged in a margherita pizza to share and then picked the ravioli ricotta and truffle with portobello mushroom, sage and grana cheese which was rich and indulgent. The stracetti ai funghi is an original choice: beef strips with mushrooms and capers in a creamy butter and lemon sauce served with whole red rice with onions and 'escrolls ' and if you know what they are, you 're one step ahead of me. And for my personal favourite, the tagliatelli with king prawns, pesto and crushed cashew nuts. Creamy, decadent and delightfully tasty. And there 's a delicious selection of desserts to top off a perfect, homely meal. Uncomplicated, unspoiled Italian food at its very best. Wallet damage: 2 courses wine £30/person Vibe: your grandma 's kitchen Booking policy: they take 'em hurrah!"

Gourmet 4 Shirley

Gourmet 4 Shirley

Unit 2, Parkgate Shopping Centre, Stratford Road, Shirley, Solihull, United Kingdom

Sushi • Asiatic • Mexican • European


"To our surprise, I was asked to pay upfront even though we hadn’t received any food or drinks yet. I declined, opting to pay after our meal, a decision that proved wise. While we waited, a Just Eat delivery driver entered to pick up an order. He politely showed the manager his phone with the order number and requested that social distancing be maintained. Instead of cooperating, the manager shouted at him, refusing to hand over the food because he couldn’t see the phone clearly. He even told the driver to find another job and not to return. The manager then yelled across the restaurant for someone to handle the situation since he didn’t want to deal with the driver. A woman in a tracksuit eventually stepped in and handed the order to the driver while the manager continued to berate him for simply trying to do his job. After this disturbing encounter, the manager came to our table to justify his actions, claiming that if the driver needed to practice social distancing, he shouldn’t be a driver at all and that he had the right to check the driver’s phone. I disagreed, stating that the driver might have vulnerable family members and this job could be his only option. In an astonishingly inappropriate response, the manager exclaimed, “BUT I WAS HAPPY TO GO UP TO HIM AND HE COULD HAVE HAD AIDS!” I was taken aback and could hardly believe what I had just heard. He backpedaled slightly but continued insisting that the driver might be diseased. At that moment, our server returned to inform us that they had also run out of chili. In disbelief and disgust, we decided to leave. Overall, it was an appalling experience, completely marred by the ignorance of the staff. Would not recommend."

Ponte Vecchio

Ponte Vecchio

Spring Gardens Road Bath, Somerset BA2 6PW, BA2 4BQ, United Kingdom

Sushi • Pizza • Seafood • European


"THE Most Authentic Italian Restaurant in Bath, period. The food is exquisitely made presented, tastes divine, and can be paired with true Italian wines, specifically imported to complete the authentic Italian dining experience. Menu selections include inspired dishes from the home country , presenting some unknown in the West , departing from generic spaghetti lasagne pizza to introduce restaurant guests to a few secrets mysteries of Italy and its most colourful and certainly delicious! cuisine. Contributing to the authenticity is the Italian management staff, who are all polite and bring an excellence professionalism of service, even with the occasional hesitancy in English which, in fact, only contributes to the suspension of disbelief that allows one to imagine they 've been transported to Italy, where every meal is a journey to yet another lesser known town otherwise famed amongst Italians for its succulent secrets... Over the past several years, I 've had the great pleasure to return to Ponte Vecchio a handful of times to enjoy a meal, each time a different dish. After my most recent dining excursion , I 'm pleased to have discovered there 's yet another refresh of the menu soon to come, which means more delights on my next major visit. Ponte Vecchio IS the quintessential destination for special occasion fine Italian dining in Bath, well suited for intimate group celebrations as well as important date nights , being close enough to Bath for convenience, yet removed just enough from the hustle bustle of the town centre. Its location by the weir adds to its romantic ambience, allowing for a lovely after dinner walk.. For the BEST, and most Authentic, Italian dining experience in Bath, make it Ponte Vecchio a trip to Italy is waiting to be had! Questi giorni quando vieni il belle sole.. Literally These days when comes 'when we get ' the beautiful sun.. ;"