Guido's — Restaurant in London

My reply to the management response on my TripAdvisor Review:

Dear Owner,

Thank you for your misleading and mis-informative response.

Firstly I would like to start off by saying that it isn’t the customers responsibility to understand how a restaurant or a fast food place functions, so no I shouldn’t have to pay attention to what is happening around me. For a busy food restaurant like yourself, you should provide very clear instructions to customers - especially for the benefit of those visiting you for the first time. In regards to signage, you have said you are not allowed to have them, so why is it that you have a free standing A-board on the pavement in front of the restaurant advertising your pastas? I’m sure if you have one sign, you can have the second.

Secondly, the disclaimer isn’t a ‘1/3’ of your extraction unit, and all it says is ‘order & pay’. It is not even close to being a 1/3 in size and is difficult to see from outside, especially from the direction customers queue. The only clear disclaimer can be seen at the top of your Menu Board which reads "please order at the till first". Unfortunately is not visible from outside. It is your responsibility to make sure that signs/disclaimers are clear during busy hours. As a first-time visitor I assumed that as with most fast food establishments, it was a case of queuing, paying for my food and collecting it. There was only one queue outside and I had no way of knowing that these people had already placed their order.

You also mentioned how you don’t appreciate ‘nasty reviews’ as it can ‘damage’ your business and that you welcome honest and constructive feedback. Clearly that is a lie on your behalf as you have just responded in a ‘nasty’ way towards a customer who wanted to provide you with constructive feedback. You are also clearly hypocritical, talking about discrediting a business while you type up a comment in regards to your competitors (Coco Di Mama) and taking away any credibility from them as you indirectly claim that their food is not authentic Italian food and they cannot be compared to yourselves.

This clearly shows your lack of customer service and professionalism. Now I’m happy I gave you 1 star. I’d give you none if I could. 😊

PS: Multiple people from my workplace (including Italians) have claimed your...

I ordered lunch here today at 2pm and had a bad experience with the service.

I was looking forward to trying here, having many colleagues recommend it and always witnessing a huge line outside this place at lunchtimes.

I went in and ordered what I wanted (having looked at the menu before). I was informed the shape of the pasta I wanted was unavailable, fine - no issue, considering the time.

The lady I had serve me was very unenthusiastic, didn’t make eye contact and was overall not a great introduction to the restaurant. When I ordered the pasta shape and was told it wasn’t available, I’d have appreciated a friendly recommendation as to what else I could order, instead she barked out some options which I didn’t know what they were. I ordered something but left with a bad taste in my mouth before I even ate the food. The way she was talking to me was so rude I had to explain I hadn’t ever visited the store before. That didn’t seem to bother her so much.

To finish off, I noticed everyone was given their food in a brown bag - my bread in a paper bag was given to me before I even received my pasta and then I was just given the pasta box in my hand. I had to ask for a bag which I feel it is obvious if it is raining outside…

A very very big shame. I’ve told colleagues to avoid this place. I wanted to begin using what seemed to be an independent restaurant for my lunches but the chain Coco Di Mama up the road always gives good service. That trumps the food on occasions like...

"SALT WAS A DREAM"

i believe the title given already says everything.. As an Italian I found this "italian kitchen" quite an offence.

firstly, the selection of food available is deemed to 3 sauces and 2 types of pasta, both shorts, that does not match with the sauce offered.

no sandwiches available.. nor salads..

at the end i decided to go for "Penne al Pesto", the pesto was literally untasty, unsalty, blunt, depressed and very very cheap. literally i could have done a better pesto by buying from the Local Sainsbury at the corner.

Obviously, as a PLUS.. they put a piece bread at the bottom of the box, like it's needed.. you know..

now, i understand we are all living in uncertain times and lockdown is effecting small businesses, especially those spawning at the edge of offices areas, but as someone has said before: "you will always be judged based on the last dish you serve, not on the million you had before".

Well for me this was the last...