Harry's Dolce Vita Knightsbridge — Restaurant in London

WORST RESTAURANT EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE: There is no option for zero stars so that is the only reason for giving one. I made a complaint NINE days ago and still no contact other than a generic "this has been passed to management".

My ignored complaint:

My boyfriend and I booked a table at your restaurant months ago for his birthday meal on 26th August. My mother also bought a voucher for him for the restaurant for his birthday once we had booked it.

First of all, we called in advance to ask if we could delay our booking by half an hour, to arrive at 8.30 and were told at a approximately 7.30pm that this was OK.

On arrival, we were told quite casually “there’s a technical issue in the kitchen so we are not serving food or drinks but you can sit down if you want?”

Personally, as someone working in the restaurant industry for over 20 years, this is not how I would approach this issue with a customer. To give us the option of whether we should come in or not, with no apology or real explanation was quite cocky and bizarre.

My response was to ask if we will be served eventually to which there was no real answer and just looked at us as if we’d asked an outrageous question. We then were sort of ushered into the restaurant, very confused at this point.

We were then shoved onto a tiny corner table, the kind that you add into the restaurant when you are overbooked and need to create some extra seats. We were, however surrounded by empty tables other than a family opposite us, ordering food and drinks as we sat there, bewildered.

At this point, my boyfriend went to use the bathroom. He was rudely told that he was not allowed and to sit down.

As this happened at one end of the restaurant, another woman came to my table to tell me she didn’t know what was going on. I asked if we would be served drinks at any point and she said no. I asked if you were closing the restaurant and she said she didn’t know. But at the same time just shrugged about what was happening. I went outside for a cigarette, where I saw waiters walking around from a back door with large trays of food for other customers. Drinks were also being made and served.

On my return our menus had been removed so I had to flag down yet another member of staff to ask what was going on. She said we could have a drink as long as it didn’t require the use of tap water.

I then had to ask another member of staff if we could order a drink. They said no and looked at me as if I was an idiot for asking. At the same time I saw a group of people being welcomed into the restaurant and with a friendly welcome (not given to us) and they were handed menus and a lovely table.

All but one member of staff were incredibly rude and aloof by this point which is probably now going up for 9pm.

My boyfriend had managed to find the rudest member of staff, apparently the manager, who told him to sit down and he would come over and speak to us.

He did not.

After going to ask him once again what was going on he came over to our table, reluctantly, sat down and offensively said “can I speak?!” As we asked questions.

When I said that you should have called us ahead of our booking to let us know that we could not dine, he snapped back “it’s only just happened”… however another member of staff had alluded to the fact that whatever the “issue” was, had happened over an hour before. Around about when we called to delay our booking. The “manager” then, in a patronising tone said “what I suggest you do is just come back and spend your voucher here tomorrow” after I asked that we have a refund on the voucher if you were refusing to let us use the voucher for drinks at least.

As you can imagine, we were less than enthused to return. Especially when I asked why other people were being served and I just got a cocky smirk and no explanation. Disgusting excuse for “customer service” and we’re nice people. I’ve had to deal with some dreadful customers in my time and I have NEVER ever spoken to or dealt with anyone in the way we were in your restaurant.

An absolute...

when we saw the curb appeal and name Harry’s on the front , we were intrigued by the extremely inviting frequency of this corner property with wat appeared to be 240 degree front windows wrapping the peninsula of plz come inside and enjoy open arms frontage … stepping in was even more comfortable! we were sincerely & warmly greeted by djuciella , a lovely friendly young woman who then showed us to a very special booth for my ladies late afternoon birthday sip & bite ..wat we did not know was wat was to come !!!! Luis then eloquently arrived to continue the “welcome to our home” vibes and offered us our wine and brought a couple sips over to make sure it was pleasing to our palate prior to choosing .. it was ! and we commenced into the upscale relaxing atmosphere of a perfectly executed glass of wines - the chicken Milanese was exactly as I often tasted and enjoyed while living in Milan ! yumm !! wen it was time for my lovely dates sole alla vongole a manager appeared as a knight in shining armor and offered to table side filet her masterpiece!) the time spent , food , drink and staff was one of the most enjoyable experiences we had ever spent in a foreign place with strangers wen we walked in and transformed into friends & then family by the most professional , friendly , accommodating makes you feel like you are the only people in the entire place was us : FRANCESCO !!!! if you ever want to make sure your meal out is like coming home to an 8 star experience and have a great time and 7,000 laughs for an evening ..ask for this guy !!! one of the best in the business .. anytime in london , we will always stop in Harry’s ..maybe several times , as the menu can accommodate every flavor , choice with culinary desire & expertise each day of any week & it will be with a warm hello & hug from francesco !! he is the type of person you would immediately like to fly off onto vacation with !! but he probably can not go ..he is too busy helping to make Harry’s one of the best places in the world and certainly london to have one of the best experiences & meals in your lifetime ! tell him...

Harry's Dolce Vita, a casual upmarket Italian restaurant situated in Knightsbridge, is the latest opening by the renowned Caprice Holdings group who are behind some of London’s most remarkable establishments. With tanned leather seats, wood panelled walls and brass antique mirrored ceilings, the place is very reminiscent of 1950s Italian glamour and has taken it’s inspiration from the legendary Harry’s Bar in Venice. Our very charming manager Claudio seated us at a small table, and to begin with my companion and I shared a Harry’s Margerita Pizza (£13.95). It was rustic. The dough was crispy on the outside and chewy on the inside. Eating like true Italians, we decided to stack up on the carbs and we ordered their Homemade Maccheroni Cheese Gratin (£4.50)and Linguine Vongole (£16.50) to share. The macaroni was ultra creamy and truly decadent; definitely high up on my list of the most satisfying comfort foods. The linguine was perfectly al dente and the white wine sauce was not too overpowering with just the right hint of chilli. For dessert, we ordered their Pear and Almond Crostata (£7.95). The warm light pastry paired well with the pears which came with Marsala cream and caramel in two separate pots which we generously spooned on - truly indulgent! Harry's Dolce Vita is a combination of legendary Italian charm, simple mouth watering foods and stylish vintage décor. Photos and artwork decorate their walls depicting Fellini's legendary film 'la dolce vita.’ In comparison to other restaurants of Caprice holdings like Le Caprice, J. Sheekey and Annabels, prices are very decent. So why not be seated next to their long central bar where fancy-looking cocktails are being shaken up and step back into time for an intimate...