Tortelli
Bottega Prelibato

Bottega Prelibato

45 Rivington Street, EC2A 3QB, Hackney, United Kingdom

Pasta • Steak • Italian • European


"We went on the recommendation of friends who had been there for dinner three weeks earlier. Apparently, lunch is a different experience. The waiter took our order and had to come back twice to double check what we ordered. Appetisers to share were served with no plates, cutlery or serviettes. One of the wait staff was clearly being trained but not well. I felt badly for her. I ordered the buckwheat ravioli and asked it was possible to try a piece because I had never had buckwheat pasta. I expected they might say no which would have been fine. However, the reason I was told no was because the pasta is frozen and made to order. Very disappointing to hear it's frozen. Two of us had different types of ravioli both were very bland and stodgy. My sauce had Italian sausage far too much and tasteless. One person had luingini with clams which was decent. The barrata and courgette flower bruschetta was also virtually tastless. The bread was quite tasty. Our mains arrived before we were finished our starters and the timing issue was completely unnoticed by the wait staff. Then, the wait staff completely disappeared. About 30 min later we had to go inside and ask someone else if our plates could be cleared and if we could have more water. The staff did ask about the food and was interested in our comments (which were not terribly positive). It was also the first time I have ever asked to have a service charge removed it really was just not worth paying extra for a such minimal, inattentive service. It was a great disappointment and I would not recommend this restaurant nor would I return."