Bardo St James's — Restaurant in London

I'm disappointed to write this review. I normally write to a restaurant when I have had an incredible experience. I have only good things to say about the food, it was absolutely incredible. I work in User Experience for Technology so I am very aware of processes, especially when they go bad.

My partner and I were at your restaurant a few months back on a on Friday evening for a 7:30 seating. He surprised me with this reservation as honestly, we dont normally do this. My partner has been to your restaurant with some friends back in April. He wanted me to experience what he had, which was lovely. He came with some friends at 8pm and did make it to the dancing club in the end.

We ordered some cocktails and a rossa pinsa. He explained to me about the part that becomes a dancing club area and that he wanted us to experience that again because he loved it so much.

Then we ordered the rest - a primi and a secondi with a bottle of red wine. Having lived in Italy, I was shocked these came out together. This made us feel rushed but we tried to keep enjoying the evening. We had told them we were sharing the plates when we ordered. Also ordering a bottle of red wine after having a cocktail is very normal especially in fancier restaurants. The wine was £70 so even though it is one of your cheapest bottles, it is not cheap by any means, especially with a ridiculous £50 markup.

We then were asked about dessert many times, at least 3. I told the waitress I didnt want dessert until we finished the wine, perfectly reasonable as not all red wine goes with such sweet dessert. She told me she felt the opposite. Thats very odd to me that she said that but of course fine as we all have our preferences. Again feeling rushed here.

One of the managers came over to move us to the bar at 9:40 pm. I understand you have this 1 hour 30 minute seating, now as I see it on the website. I did not know then, as I was surprised by this evening. However, what I do not understand is why there can be 3 small tables in view that can fit 2-4 people with no one in them yet we're being asked to move. This is a joke to me. We still had quite a bit of wine left, while these other tables sat empty. I would have understood if each table was being turned over for seated guests immediately. Im no diva, I understand others have reservations. What I dont understand is rushing us out when there is no one to fill them back.

You really should be aware of this, I think its quite sad you arent already especially for a restaurant of your quality. We had dinner at a much cheaper restaurant just Saturday night, a lovely Indian restaurant in Hampstead Heath. We had a table of 7, they did not rush the 2 people blocking bringing 2 tables together. As it should be.

If you want to fix this, you need to explain to people when they sit down how long they have the table for. Setting expectations is extremely important. My partner believed we could make it to the end because he had a reservation not long after ours.

Im quite disappointed. After spending £270, I thought I'd get better treatment but clearly you only care for people who spend much more.

The food and the live music was absolutely stunning. So sad we had a really terrible experience that ruined it all. I really wanted to recommend to friends especially for the cacio e pepe but unfortunately I cant.

I am now leaving this review because I emailed this message back in June and was told I'd receive some followup. I followed up in July but never got...

Last Tuesday I was invited to one my closest friends birthday which was held at Bardo St. James. Upon arrival I was greeted by a warm welcome and was guided towards the table by the employee at the front desk. First impressions were great. The food was good, the wine was amazing - we were having an amazing time. However, when it was time for us to sing happy birthday, we were a little too excited and may have been a bit loud. I didn't think this was a problem as the restaurant was not busy and we were clearly the largest group. The manager decided to come up to us and ask us to act more quietly. Everyone agreed and we reduced out volume. Although, we weren't happy to hear it we agreed with it and showed respect to both the restaurant and the people around us. Things started to take a turn for the worst when the courses started taking longer than 30/40 minutes to be brought out. When it came to the time of desert, we ordered a tiramisu each but only received one tiramamisu with a single candle. We reminded our server Angelo which showed great compassion and care for our group. We waited and waited and after another 20 minutes the desserts finally came, but they were missing half of them. Although we ordered desert each per person, we only received 1 for 2. Even though this may have been a more reasonable order, I strongly disagree with the fact that they still didn't act upon our request and brought only half of the deserts as they predicted that half of them would be untouched. Upon exiting the restaurant, the manager came up to us and started questioning our experience. Frankly, we admired that although the food was good, the service provided was below the satisfactory level and that something would need to be changed and improved. Instead of taking this constructive criticism as advice as any other manager would do, the manager at this restaurant decided to talk back and argue with us. He raised his voice and was confronting us as if we were insulting him directly. I was in shock about the tone he used which can be interpreted as aggressive. This didn't finish yet, the argument was persistently escalating between the manager and one of the guests fro 5 minutes and the rest of the group keep trying to calm down and reduce the tension in the situation. The last thing we heard from the manager was him saying "shut up" to one of my friends who was trying to establish peace in the room. I couldn't believe my eyes that such a pretty and tasty restaurant was managed by a disrespectful individual. It is clear to me that he has never attended a hospitality school or has complexity ignored the principal of what a manager is and what an individual in this position should do and how they should act in situations as such.

All in all, I am disappointed that a restaurant with such a lovely atmosphere is being managed by an individual as such. It is a shame that this beautiful birthday was ruined by an argument with the manager of the restaurant who was being rude and deeply inconsiderate to his customers. Although the food was good, when accompanied by a service like this - the evening can be...

Bardo: An Exquisite Italian Dining Experience in the Heart of London

Opened two years ago by the renowned figure in London's hospitality and nightlife scene, Luca Maggiora, Bardo stands as a beacon of luxury and culinary excellence in the elegant enclave of St. James. From the moment you approach its doors, the aura of exclusivity and sophistication envelops you, setting the stage for a truly unforgettable evening.

Ambiance and Setting: The exterior of Bardo exudes an air of exclusivity, which seamlessly transitions to the opulent interior, evoking the timeless allure of Italian luxury. The Green Art Deco bar sets the tone for the evening, leading guests into the spacious red dining room adorned with iconic swirled lamps. Here, patrons are treated to top-notch live music entertainment, adding to the ambiance of sophistication and charm. The secret lounge, with its DJ, cocktails, and bottle service, provides the perfect setting to conclude the night in style.

Culinary Delights: While the ambiance sets the stage, the true star of the show at Bardo is undoubtedly its exceptional cuisine. Offering a meticulously curated menu of Italian delicacies, each dish is a masterpiece in its own right. The menu, thoughtfully balanced and vegetarian-friendly, showcases the seasonality of the ingredients, ensuring a fresh and delightful experience with each visit. From the first bite to the last, the attention to detail and quality shine through, leaving guests craving for more. The separate dessert menu is a sweet indulgence, boasting creative and delectable treats that perfectly conclude the dining experience. Complementing the culinary offerings is an extensive wine list, curated to provide the perfect pairing for every palate.

Service Excellence: At Bardo, impeccable service is not just a promise but a guarantee. The professional and attentive staff ensure that guests are treated to a five-star experience from start to finish. The continuity of seeing familiar faces since the opening reflects the restaurant's commitment to excellence and the cultivation of a happy and dedicated team.

Unforgettable Nightlife Experience: For those seeking to extend the evening beyond dinner, the lounge room at Bardo offers the epitome of private and exclusive nightlife in West London. With Mykonos and Ibiza-style DJ sets starting just hours after midnight, guests can dance the night away in an atmosphere of unparalleled sophistication and allure.

Conclusion: In summary, Bardo offers an unparalleled dining experience that transcends mere culinary indulgence. From its luxurious ambiance and top-notch entertainment to its exquisite cuisine and impeccable service, every aspect of the restaurant exudes excellence. For Italians living in London or anyone seeking a taste of home, Bardo is a must-visit destination and a true gem in the city's culinary landscape. Whether it's for a special occasion or simply a desire to savor the finest Italian fare, a visit to Bardo promises an unforgettable experience that will leave a...