Da Remo Ristorante Italiano — Restaurant in England

I would describe the restaurant as average. It's not bad, but I've had a lot better elsewhere and for a lot less money. It was very expensive and poor value for money. Stuff to note, which I hope will be as useful to the staff as to potential customers:

having visited during the Covid global pandemic, walking in here seemed like none of the staff knew that the virus was still around. No face masks were worn by any of the staff and when serving, clearing, giving menus or whatever, they were leaning in uncomfortably close to us (we're talking a matter of inches). I had to ask on several occasions for them to step back. All staff should be wearing face masks, keeping distance from both food and clients.

if you want to give a better early impression, get your menus printed up on nice cardboard. Get a graphic designer to create something special. Giving a single laminated piece of paper that looks like a teenager has typed it gives the feel of a greasy spoon cafe rather than a supposedly upmarket restaurant.

if you want to charge the prices you do, serve soft drinks from individual glass bottles rather than pouring some out from a plastic 2litre bottle into a tiny glass. A flat coke in a small glass again is not what to expect from a restaurant charging the prices you do.

service was not very attentive. Waiters seemed to be in a hurry. They'd ask if everything was OK and have turned away before you could answer. On a couple of occasions we were in the middle of asking something when they literally just left the table as if we hadn't spoken! Not on when they add a sizeable service charge to your bill...

the music playing was bizarre. There was no consistency to it yet none of it seemed appropriate for the desired mood you would want to create in such a restaurant. Going from fast-paced soft rock through to very annoying opera!!

there is no children's menu at all. We got the (young) kids starter portions of penne with butter. That was £10.50 plus service per plate...

our meal came to £165 for 2 adults and 3 young children. We had 2 glasses of wine in total and no other alcohol. For the quality on offer I would say that we could eat better elsewhere for literally half that price.

Having sounded negative, it wasn't a disaster. But it wasn't a quality restaurant either. Just very average with much above average prices.

Note: official food hygiene rating at time of writing is 4 stars.

I hope this helps others and the...

Such a shame that Da Remo has lost its attention to detail. I have been to Da Remo many times and have spent a lot of money there. Sons 21st and mothers 80th birthdays and many informal events over the last 10 years. Staff were very attentive and the food was excellent and delicious. I also recommended many friends and family to this restaurant, but I won't anymore. I took my mother there for lunch yesterday for her birthday and the restaurant was not even half full but we didn't have that warm attentive experience that we had before. Ok they might have had a bad day. The main reason for this post was my starter, it was only calamari, it was overdone and the garnish was about 5 days past its sell by date. The lamb was slightly overdone as well and my Mums sea bass was one miserly half of a fillet. Also when I booked this table online , there was was no response, I had to call them to make sure this was confirmed. I also attached my Mums Birthday in the comments, but this wasn't even mentioned whilst we were there. So the little attention to details have gone and I will not return as I can get this sort of service from Prezzo, Ask and Bella Italia for half the price. Such a shame that in these trying times that the spirit, sparkle and of course attention to detail seems to have...

This is becoming one of my favourite restaurants. Maybe fourth or fifth time here and certainly won't be last.

The decor is classical with wood panelling, warm and light. There are thick linen table cloths and napkins with elegant cutlery.

All the waiters are Italian which is rather authentic. The service is attentive without being intrusive.

Today we had the lunch menu deal. VERY reasonable at under £17 for two courses. I had the Tricolour Salad followed by Chicken Milanese. I was alcohol free today but the wine list looks good with standard wines up to very expensive ones at more than £200 a bottle.

Lastly, the main event. The sweet trolley! If you have a sweet tooth, the desserts are just fantastic. Obviously tiramisu but great chocolate cake, almond flan, banana meringue and more.

Service is added automatically but well worth it.

This is a great place for a special occasion or just a treat. Guaranteed...