We hate bella italia and so, decided to try carluccio's last night. Obviously, you cannot compare carluccio's with bella italia. It's a totally different level, right? Maybe.

We ordered appetisers, main courses, one dessert and drinks. And what did the waitress do? She brought all our appetisers and main courses in one go! What a bloody embarassing scene - our table packed with five huge plates! We sat there looking absolutely stupid! I know that it was a very busy night last night but come on! A little bit of common sense would not hurt! We did not complain because we did not want to make a scene. I work in retail and my husband is a chef so we know how it feels like to be told off by customers. But - really - come on! We were waiting to see if any of the staff would notice - no - nobody - not a soul.

Obviously, we're very disappointed and would never ever recommend carluccio's to anyone. Nobody. Carluccio's mission statement on their website is a lie - it wasn't a "memorable experience" nor did we get an "excellent service." well, I take it back. It was A memorable experience.

A group of 7 of us went to Carluccio's for our work Xmas lunch.I was surprised having been told that everyone had to pre order their choices off the Il Menu di Natale some weeks previously, there was an element of query that we were eating from this menu. In the end, I gave my own spreadsheet copy to the waiter so he could see what we were having.

The Starter was really nice and we all enjoyed the Antipasto massimo that was made up of a variety of meats, cheese, peppers, olives, tomatoes and breads. Finding this start promising, the main came as a huge disappointment as most of us had ordered the Saltimbocca di Pollo. Avoid this at all costs! A piece of chicken wrapped in prosciutto was nice enough ( except for one colleague who had to return hers as it was undercooked) but it sat on a sea of sludgy greens which turned out to be rocket drowning in a bed of oil that took up much of the plate. A few oily baby potatoes accompanied this meal. I got a side plate and lifted my chicken off its gruesome base and avoided all other items on the main plate. What was the chef thinking???

the Agnello alla Griglia and Risotto de Frutti di Mare were clearly better choices and enjoyed by 2 colleagues. the chicken would have been so much nicer if served with a selection of other items - perhaps tender green beans and a small amount of just cooked cherry tomatoes. The wine was fine and the desserts we chose (mainly gelato and sorbet were fine and enjoyed by all)

The waiter was very nice and did get my collesaue with the under done chicken, a replacement meal of pasta which came very quickly and was enjoyed. No decaff coffee was a disappointment as most cafes and restaurants can offer this as a matter of course. So the overall impression fair but attention to detail could do with an overhaul. Food presentation also needs a revisit. I will go again to Carluccio's although probably not this branch. Great setting but disappointing in key areas.

My wife and I ate at Carluccio's Cafe late on Saturday night hoping to have a pleasant light meal. The atmosphere was great and the waitresses lovely. However, the food at Carluccio's Cafe was very poor.


My wife had Aracini in the hope of bringing back memories of eating it in Italy. What a poor imitation. It had hardly any filling and no taste. My pasta with spicy sausages was neither spicy or tasty.

I didn't realise that there are two faces to Carluccio's Caffe. I have visited the one in Barretts street three times before, all in summer and hence sat outside, and had very nice meal.



This time at St Christopher's Place, as it was cold, me and my girlfriend decided to sit inside. The treatment we recieved was shocking, gone was the professionalism, it was more of a factory. A loud mouthed woman kept on addressing my girlfriend, completely ignoring me, which we both found very rude. She literally bullied me to give her a tip too.



We have decided never to go anywhere near Carluccio's Caffe every again. If anyone is planning to go there again, stick to the outside chairs, lest your day get spoiled by such inept bullying and rudeness.

Antonio Carluccio’s café is one of the best places to dine when the weather is good. Sit back and watch the world go by. My only real criticism is the unnecessary street entertainers and their overzealous money collectors.

I had lunch today at Carluccio's for the first time. The Antipasto misto di verdura was very nice. Pasta with truffles very disappointing - too salty and couldn't taste the truffles. As far as I was concerned I was having pasta al burro. It was swimming in a pool of butter. Service very good but overall experience disappointing because of the main course.