Spaghetti Vongole Spaghetti Vongole
Mimmo La Bufala

Mimmo La Bufala

45A South End Road, London, NW32QB, NW3 2QB, United Kingdom

Fish • Pizza • Pasta • Coffee


"I’ve been 3x to this restaurant now, and every time the service is as bad. On most recent visit, went inside, asked for a table (after being ignored by maitre’d for 5 minutes) and was told to wait. Several waiters passed me, the maitre’d maintained her position by the till, but no table was ever given. We gave up after a further 10 minutes and left. On the previous 2 visits we did manage to get a table, but the service was incredibly slow. The waiters seem trained in the art of attending to one table and then quickly rushing indoors without passing a glance to other tables who may need help. Maybe they are understaffed, but being aware of the restaurant space and customers is the first rule of serving tables. On my first visit, I complained about the service to the owner who happened to be there. He was very brief with us I would go as far to say rude. He said restaurant was very busy and we’d just have to wait for our main courses. Our starters had been cleaned away over 20 minutes previously. He later came over and apologised which is why I gave the restaurant a second go. Second visit, we sat outside again. Same very slow, very inattentive service. The bill took so long to come, I was considering just walking off. So why come back a third time after such bad service? Well, if you do manage to eat, the food is actually really good. Well cooked, traditional Italian style and really good pizzas too. I won’t be back a fourth time. I’ve given this restaurant every chance (and my visits are over a 2 year period so they have had plenty of time to sort their service out). And if the owner is happening to read this, just imagine how much business/money you are losing through your poor waiting staff? I have no doubt many, many other people simply leave after waiting to get a table and being ignored."

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."

Regency

Regency

131 Kings Road, Brighton And Hove, United Kingdom, BN1 2HH, Brighton and Hove

Fish • Seafood • British • Vegetarian


"Text: Disappointed with this restaurant which I’ve used over 8 times in 18 months. I drove from Crawley and booked ahead of time for my 66th birthday lunch a table for 4 at 1.30pm with my wife and two teenage kids aged 16&18. The price is reasonable when the quality is good the bill came to £185.00 including £20 service charge automatically added to the bill. Overview: The service was okay as usual quick but not friendly we were served by 5 different people. However what was horrible and shocking was that the food quality has dropped significantly since my last visit in September 2023. The scallops were very good as usual but the haddock and chips was very disappointing indeed…(more later) Oysters were pathetic the flesh was tiny and not tasty at all. Calamari was soft and the batter was soggy and ‘flat’. The fish and chips … haddock was dry and flakey and chewy clearly frozen fish. The batter was completely different to my last meal at Regency this time it was soggy and flat no crisp whatsoever. The chips were cold and miserable. The apple pie was disgusting really disgusting tasteless and bland and the pie crust was soft and soggy the runny cream was a bit sour and suspect my wife asked me to taste it and I poured some into my double espresso and it curdled. The tiramisu and profiteroles were ok. I just recently voted this restaurant for best in Brighton but I think that was a mistake. It’s a shame the food quality was so poor especially for simple things that should be excellent and are not technically acceptable! Poor show."

Spaghetti Tree Warlingham

Spaghetti Tree Warlingham

633 Limpsfield Rd, Warlingham, United Kingdom

Cafés • Pizza • Asiatic • European


"My partner and I visited Spaghetti Tree with another couple, and we were seated by the window without a reservation. We ordered some beers and waited for our friends to arrive. After about 15 minutes, they came and ordered a bottle of red wine, along with some olives and a bread basket. We started enjoying our drinks and food when, unexpectedly, a staff member approached my partner and asked her to remove her baseball cap. Confused, my partner questioned why we were only being informed of this now, especially since no one mentioned it when we entered. Had we known, we would have opted to go to the pub next door instead. It felt unfair, especially since we had communicated that we were a group of four and were seated in a prominent spot. Reluctantly, my partner removed her cap, feeling uncomfortable for the rest of the evening because she hadn’t styled her hair as she would have preferred. The staff then offered us the option to either move to a less desirable table at the back of the restaurant, where no other patrons were seated, or stay at the window if she removed her hat. It was disappointing to see that there were only three tables occupied in the entire restaurant. Unfortunately, the food didn’t meet our expectations either. Given this experience, it's unlikely that we will return. We've dined here before, but after this visit, we certainly won’t be coming back."