Spaghetti Frutti Di Mare Spaghetti Frutti Di Mare
San Carlo

San Carlo

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

Pasta • Steak • Pizza • Italian


"This was the same night that we transferred over to the San Carlo restaurant after a bad experience at the sister restaurant next door at Fumo (see other review) We were greeted professionally and taken to a table, sat next to the kitchen. Unfortunately, this restaurant had the same view as Fumo of quantity versus customer experience. All the tables were so tightly positioned that even the staff couldn’t walk between them to serve the customers. The waiter who took our drinks order, was very friendly and provided good advice on wines . The waitress who took our food order was very friendly accommodating. We started the meal with calamari and bruschetta. Both were delicious. Unfortunately, the main courses ruined our entire experience. My husband ordered the surf and turf style lobster and steak combo what a treat for our special occasion. What a shame more like! The steak was overcooked for his request of medium and the lobster was cold. When we advised the waitress, she came and took the lobster off his plate, leaving him with the steak. Five minutes later, returned with the same piece of lobster that had she told us had “been put under the grill for five minutes” to heat it up. This meant that the lobster was completely dried out and inedible. I ordered the gnocchi with beef Ragu. Because the plates had not been warmed, my dish was cold around the outside and a warm in the middle. It also only contained 10 pieces of gnocchi, and that is it. We were asked if we wanted anything else to eat, but we declined as we had theatre tickets and were aware that all the staff were now talking about us. When presented with the bill, both of the dishes were on there, but they had taken off the service charge . I had advised that we should not be paying for the lobster and steak or the gnocchi, as neither dish had met expectation or was edible. The female supervisor got very defensive with me and basically told me, that I would be paying for it at which point, I asked to speak to the General Manager. He was more understanding and removed the 2 dishes from the bill. Unfortunately, we had a gift voucher so now we have a credit to reuse at another one of their chain restaurants. After trying 2 in one night , we are reluctant to try another one again."

Da Nico Italian

Da Nico Italian

7 High St, Crawley, Crawley, RH101BH, United Kingdom

Pizza • Mexican • European • Vegetarian


"Warm welcome at the door to a bright and trim restaurant that has a natural ambience of busy but personal. From the moment of sitting you are made to feel like you 're the only table that matters, this was a nice touch. Of the 4 of us, 3 were drinking alcohol, we simply asked for the House White which was fit for purpose. I 'd heard the starters were quite large so we opted for 3 of the 'Nibbles ' options, these were only plenty big enough to suit us. Do try the deep fried rice balls, they are lovely. We had mains of Pizza, Spaghetti frutti di mare, Fillet Steak and Pollo Funghi. Steak was ordered Rare, it arrived, Rare. As the most expensive dish, this was the most important. They were keen to check it was OK very soon after first cut. The ongoing service was excellent, attentive and polite. Conversation was made but not in an intrusive way and we were never interrupted if in conversation with each other. That is the sign of a good host. Everything was clean, and heavy cloth napkins are a very nice touch. Water is already on the table and refilled without asking. I was not drinking alcohol, so had the Bud Blue zero. I 'd have maybe liked one or two more options on that particular point but it certainly didn 't spoli anything. We sat for nearly 2 hours, taking it at our pace and the bill for 4 adults was £162. We feel that was very reasonable as the food was fresh and of superb quality. The sauce for the Chicken was divine, with mushroom that actually had a stronger taste. We opted for the Peppercorn sauce with the Steak which was also fantasic. The Potato and Veg sides served with the main were plentful and hot. We will be going back."