Gamberoni Alla Diavola
San Carlo

San Carlo

4 Temple Street, B2 5BN, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Pasta • Steak • Pizza • Italian


"As we ventured into San Carlos in Birmingham for a delightful family birthday lunch, the atmosphere was alive with anticipation. The restaurant 's elegant yet comfortable setting was the perfect stage for our midday culinary adventure. The lunch was headlined by the 'pizza of wonder ', an extraordinary creation that reimagined the classic pizza. With its impeccably charred crust and a medley of exquisite toppings, each bite was a symphony of flavours, making it much more than just a pizza it was a celebration of gastronomic artistry. Next came the rib eye steak, which was the epitome of 'melt in the mouth '. Cooked to perfection, it was a tender, flavour packed delight that tantalised our taste buds. It wasn 't just a dish; it was an ode to the sublime joys of well prepared meat. The lasagne, staying true to its Italian heritage, was a culinary masterpiece. Its layers of al dente pasta, rich ragu, and silky bechamel sauce combined to create a dish that was both comforting and sophisticated. This lasagne was a charming mix of rustic and refined, capturing the essence of Italian comfort food. Then there was the chicken in white wine sauce, an absolute sensation. The chicken, tender and succulent, was bathed in a heavenly sauce that was both light and richly flavoured. It was a dish that showcased the perfect balance of ingredients, each mouthful a testament to the chef 's skill in harnessing and elevating simple flavours to create something truly memorable. Amidst this feast, the staff of San Carlos were the unsung heroes. Their attentive and genuine service added a layer of warmth to the dining experience, making us feel both valued and well looked after. The meal culminated with a Tiramisu that was a dream come true for the connoisseurs among us. It was an impeccable mix of coffee, mascarpone, and cocoa, a dessert that spoke of Italian elegance and indulgence. In summary, San Carlos in Birmingham is more than just a restaurant; it’s a midday retreat into the world of fine Italian dining. From the mesmerising pizza to the sensational chicken in white wine sauce, and the unrivalled Tiramisu, each dish is a testament to the beauty and depth of Italian cuisine. For a memorable lunch experience, San Carlos is a beacon of culinary excellence."

Papa John's Pizza

Papa John's Pizza

106 High Street, CM14 4RZ, Brentwood, United Kingdom

Pizza • Sushi • Seafood • European


"Honestly, I must start off by saying how impressed I was with the quality of the vegetarian Chilli Freak pizza we ordered. It was arguably perfectly done with a delicious crust and tantalisingly good amounts of spice and heat — it’s just a shame with...what came before it. During a time of scrutiny where hygiene measures should be paramount within the food industry and takeaway kitchens, we were hugely disappointed to see staff at work not abiding by these guidelines, not wearing masks, beard nets, gloves and, terribly, handling meat without washing their hands before spreading vegetarian toppings. This is very, very poor and something I will write to Papa John’s directly about because (as pictured) zero attention or care is seemingly given to their customers behind the scenes. Not even wearing disposable gloves or masks with being so prevalent is something I find deeply unsettling. It’s therefore challenging for me to award Papa John’s in Brentwood anything more than two star. We also must address the costs of food on their menu. For solely a large pizza, you can be paying nearly GBP which is exorbitant! There is a distinct lack of friendly customer service and I imagine waiting times can be fairly long when the place is busy. So, all in all, whilst the pizza might have been delectable and makes formidable opposition when compared to a Pizza Hut order, behind the scenes there really is a great deal of work seemingly to be done. Quite dire hygiene it appears."

La Stalla

La Stalla

270A, Wallisdown Road, Bournemouth, BH104HZ, BH11 8, United Kingdom

Pizzeria • Vegetarian • Pasta Dishes • Carne - Meat


"To me pizza is something that is very close to my heart. The amount of good memories I've had happened while having pizza with people. Often when I think of Pizza the emotions that come to mind are joy, hope, excitement , happiness. Yet last night when I sat there eating my pizza from La Stalla all I could feel was a blend of rage and sadness as well as the strong feeling that I had been deceived. I had paid 26 pounds for two vegetarian pizzas and an order of cheese garlic bread. I called up the place beforehand to inquire the amount of garlic bread pieces I would receive as well as the size of the pizza. Once I had received my takeaway and got home I opened the box and to my horror I only found two pieces of cheese garlic bread, the garlic bread looked quite sad and dry and resembled a toastie rather than a proper piece of Italian garlic bread. I then proceeded to open the pizza boxes and I had realised that I have been deceived, the pizzas that sat infront of me , they were not 12 inches. I grabbed my measuring tape and measured it as I knew this was not right . As I measuring I was hoping that I just looked at it wrong and that it was 12 inches , however my optimism was misplaced, the Pizza was in fact 8.5 inches on both pizzas. I decided to slice up the pizza and try to make the best out of a bad situation but the pizza sadly was nothing short of incredibly average. The pizza tasted the same as a frozen pizza, with a tasteless cardboard esque base, bland tomato sauce and cheese that very much felt like low quality heavily processed mozzarella. Overall , this was incredibly overpriced and truly just a miserable experience that I will not be returning to."