Il Palazzo — Restaurant in Chelmsford

Walked in off the street pre theatre as advertised for pre theatre set menu Said they could accommodate us but we had to be out by 19.15 due to a booking which was fine Sat by the window but then asked to move near the bar Pre theatre set menu not available So ordered starters and mains food was lovely although mains came out as soon as starters plates were removed Food as stated was lovely but very filling and we were having a rest whilst chatting My friend was starting to eat her food again and the Maitre d cleared the plates! Desserts were ordered and whilst eating our bill was placed on the table On asking for coffee we were then informed that we needed to leave our table as it was needed for the next customers who had arrived early We said that we had the table until 19.15 but Maitre d said he had made a mistake and it was 18.15 but we could move to another table or go next door in the other restaurant? I said you have rushed us throughout our entire meal we would have gone somewhere else but he had confirmed we had the table until 19.15 Really disappointed and...

Those with a refined palate will be shocked after eating here, especially after savouring real Italian dishes. Absolutely NOTHING authentic about ANY of the food at Il Palazzo in Chelmsford. 6 people ordered different items and everyone said the same: WORST 'ITALIAN' MEAL EVER. The food was insipid, tasteless and overcooked. We had the 'pleasure' of greasy fried calamari, soggy skin on baked fish, pasta laden with excessive amounts of garlic, a pizza that looked and tasted like it came from a 2-for-1 deal in Iceland, fillet meat and wet bacon swimming in copious sauces made with who-knows-what. Nothing looked or tasted even close to the menu descriptions. Desserts were equally awful, with the Affogato brought to the table as a curdled soup, and a vile thing disguised as Tiramisù. And of course, not even a hint of Italian staff. None of them seemed surprised at the amount of food left untouched on our plates. Name aside, the only 'Italian' thing about this restaurant was the word 'grazie' that the inept waiters were...

Arrived just after 5pm and was told we had to give our table back at 7.15pm, which we agreed and said no problem as we hadn't booked a table. We were then rushed through all 3 courses. My friend even had her plate taken away whilst she was still eating her main. The bill was out on the table without us asking for it while we were still having our desserts. When we then asked if we could have coffees we were told we needed to go next door as they wanted our table back. This was at 6pm! When I said we were told we could have the table until 7.15pm they said but we need it back sooner now. The whole meal was completely rushed and not a very enjoyable. Shame as the food was nice but the experience was ruined by rude staff trying to get as many people through the door as possible. Would...