L’assaggino Kingston — Restaurant in London

I have to say I’ve been to this place mainly to have coffees in the morning after the school run so my review is focussing on this aspect rather than the restaurant which I tried once and I found appealing. Unfortunately my main issue with this place is the lack of clear labelling. The times I had only coffees everything has been fine, the person that served us is really friendly and engaging and they fill your glass of water constantly. The bad surprise came when I asked an arancino on top of my coffee from their counter and the bill was around £9… Something didn’t add up comparing to my friend’s bill and after leaving (and doing the math) I went back to ask about the charges because I thought it could have been a mistake... I was explained that other than the price of the coffee there were the service charges included and the price of the arancino. I thought the arancino was pricey and I was annoyed I had to go back because of the lack of clear labelling but nevertheless the service was very good and I decided to give the place another go. Most recently again on a similar occasion, I went to pay my 1 coffee and 1 tea and I picked a small chocolate box (in the picture) from the counter and this time I was charged 11.5£ my friend with 2 coffees £4.5. I was in a hurry so I didn’t go back to ask again the prices and I know imported things are expensive and I ultimately should’ve asked before buying something without price label but I would’ve thought it twice before buying the item have I known it’s value… My questions is why aren’t they exposing and clearly labelling the prices of the items on sale in the first place? It shouldn’t be the customer’s job to ask for all the prices in the shop?

Unfortunately as much as I want to support local businesses I don’t feel to go back there again, I’m sure this place has more than I experienced to offer and I got to see just a small flawed part of their business but my advice to them is to start putting...

L’assaggino: Arguably Kingston’s Best Kept Secret

A charming and intimate Italian, with authentic Sardinian recipes; friendly staff and very reasonable prices.

On Tuesday they do “All You Can Pasta” —perhaps better named “All You Can Want Pasta,” up to 6 bowls of incredible Pasta, each different, each utterly delightful. And, you never know what you will get, not even the waiters do, which keeps it fresh and exciting!

3 of the dishes were simply the BEST pasta I have ever eaten in my entire life. Which if I remember correctly were our 1st, 3rd and 5th dishes:

Malloreddus (Sardinian Gnocci) with Pumpkin Cream and Sausage.

Fussili - with Cream of Courgettes, Tomatoes, Garlic and Chilli.

Pasta alla Norma— with some of the best Aubergine I have ever eaten.

I don’t entirely know what happiness is, probably reality positively exceeding one’s expectations, but in the domain of Pasta: this was happiness.

What’s more—6 Bowls for £18, i.e., £3 a bowl of pasta! Unbelievable value, especially for London. Bravo L’assaggino!

Since I’ve been meaning to give a review for some time, I shall also mention: They do have a Deli available throughout the the day, from which I have had the best artichoke I have ever eaten (which God himself likely made then decreed it should be available from L’assaggino), and a truffle infused pecorino—which had Virgil tried, he would have likely written an eleventh eclogue solely in praise of such.

My partner Nicolette and I are also quite keen on their breakfast deal of coffee and croissant for £3.50 (before 11am).

I don’t know why I’m telling you this, as, in truth, I don’t particularly want it to become too popular. But on the other hand, it’s too good not to share, and might actually bring some benefits and happiness to other people, so is probably the right thing to do. Anyway, cat’s out of the bag now....

Live round the corner and would really love for this place to be good but it just... isn't. Final straw came the other day with a ham sandwich delivered to our table with no ham in it followed by a 'we don't have any more bread to make another one - can we put ham in this one?' when we conplained. A fifteen minute wait later and the sandwich was cold, congealed and inedible when it finally returned to our table. This is to say nothing of the scrambled egg Carbonara or the the £9.90 we were charged for a small bowl of kids tomato pasta (no one offered to get us a high chair by the way, I took it upon myself to grab one - the famous children loving Italians!)

The tall black waiter working here is mesmerically terrible to the point where most of my family have a story about his incompetence - it would be funny if it weren't so miserable.

All in all very little surprise this place is never more than 30% full on a Friday or Saturday evening. It could be a neighbourhood gem if they managed to get it together, as it is I give them a couple of years grimly labouring on before they have to give it up.

Just go to Peppe's up the road.

EDIT: RE: the hilarious reply below - your pasta is nowhere near the same standard as 'the mentioned' restaurant and the self delusion is staggering. Perhaps a change of job is,...