Penne Arrabbiata Penne Arrabbiata
Aqua Grill

Aqua Grill

33-35 South End, Croydon CR0 1BE, United Kingdom, FSA Food H, London

Greek • Steak • Pasta • Italian


"Bad food. Loooong wait both for drinks and food. Waiter (owner I was told) got 2 meals wrong. Brought calamari fritti for my husband and I which he never ordered in his life and I can 't stand them as they are like rubber in the UK so would never have ordered that. Waiter insisted I did, not once but 3x! My husband actually asked for whitebait! My husband ordered calf 's liver as a main which is soft and succulent in France, Germany and Greec etc. It was thin and like shoe leather. It is supposed to go into a hot pan, then turned over after a few seconds and taken out of pan served. This is what it should be like "A classic of British cooking, Calf 's Liver is succulently tender and fine grained with a deliciously mild, sweet flavour. More and more people are discovering the delicious flavour of Calf 's Liver due to its place on the menus.« I took it home to give to the dog and foxes!! My friend next to me (we were 13) ordered meatballs which were so salty she couldn 't eat them. Another lady didn 't like how the fish was done. It was mediocre. MY mussels had anorexia. I have photos. They were non existent or if there was one in the shell, it didn 't measure more than 5mm. 20 were empty and the sauce was not nice. Obvs they were not fresh mussels, they were cooked already and just heated up. Lots and lots of small broken shells in the sauce. Must have been the last dregs. Just as well I didn 't swallow one of the shards. Will I go back? No, I 'll go to a real Italian restaurant next time. Bragging about an Italian chef! He needs to go on a cookery course IN ITALY! I lived, ate and cooked there. I know what Italian food is supposed to taste like!!!!! And sooo expensive."

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."