La Cucina Di Daffy 2 — Restaurant in London

Last minute reservations for 5 dinners which was amazing! But I had no idea that the service would be excellent and food quality! Our waiter for our early evening was Donik to begin with, he was accommodating and so kind to my three-year-old daughter; reminded me of going on holiday in mainland Europe because of the service that he provided and made it feel so child friendly. Donik made her a signature Mocktail so that my daughter would feel like she was one of the grown-ups. It’s often hard to find restaurants that really take a shine to the children and make them feel like they’re part of the experience. Donik made some amazing cocktails for us, gave a lovely wine suggestion to my husband. He was able to tell us about the dishes of the day and where the ingredients are sourced from which was a really nice touch and particularly for a standalone restaurant, which is something that you don’t get in a lot of the mainstream restaurants. There was an alfresco area which was perfectly secure and safe, as well as the indoor dining which was beautifully decorated. I honestly thought it couldn’t get any better than this until we had the food, which is obviously one of the main reasons for why we went! The experience already have been amazing. We ordered a range of dishes all pasta-based my sister-in-law who is kosher. Ordered a vegetarian-based pasta with very simple ingredients but beautiful and beautifully done; my husband and I ordered seafood base pasta both beautiful and my brother had meat-based pasta. My daughter had the carbonara and gave it a 10 out of 10 and she is a very fussy eater. Later in the evening we will served by Freddy he was equally as lovely as Donik. Freddy was just as knowledgeable and telling us about the desserts that were on offer. Very friendly and again made my little one very comfortable even bribed her with chocolate while we had dessert!

The prices I felt were very reasonable. I would say that we spent about £50 per diner, not including my daughter, that’s just based on the four of us, and we had starters and main dish as well as two alcoholic drinks each. Very reasonable considering how central location, the portion sizes were just right!

I have to say this is one of the best meals I’ve had in a very long time and scenery and service were just excellent. I cannot wait to visit again....

At La Cucina Di Daffy 2, I had THE BEST seafood risotto in London. Period. It’s one of those dishes that immediately makes its mark. The chicken Milanese and spaghetti were good too—every main dish we ordered met my expectations.

Unfortunately, the other dishes were just average and didn’t quite capture the Italian authenticity I was hoping for. The zucchini fritti wasn’t what I’d expect from a true Italian fritti, and the cheese arancini needed to be served warm; the cheese had congealed a bit and would have been perfect if they had come straight off the fryer.

Then there was the tiramisu. Despite the online pictures making it look amazing, what we received was a “gloopy mess.” As someone who makes tiramisu, I could tell we were served the last bits—the part that’s mostly mascarpone cheese and completely lacking in the structural integrity you would expect. They really should have mentioned that we were getting the final portion in their batch.

Adding to the experience, our table was delayed by 35 minutes past our scheduled reservation. The staff were polite and apologetic, explaining that the delay is because they had to entertain someone who arrived 45 minutes late, and we had to indirectly bear that consequence. In a small restaurant like this, being strict about arrival times is crucial. My pregnant wife was especially disappointed, ending up seated outside under a warm lamp—a clear injustice to those who arrive on time.

While the seafood risotto stands out as the best I have had in London, the overall experience—with its long wait and few underwhelming dishes—makes it hard to fully recommend La Cucina Di Daffy 2. It has potential, but until the consistency and reservation management improve, I would hesitate to ever go...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Daffy's Italian restaurant in Holborn, and I must say it was a truly delightful experience. From the moment I stepped inside, the owners Dannie and his wife Daffy warmly welcomed me, creating an inviting and friendly atmosphere. And I couldn't help but fall in love with Blue, their adorable and friendly dog, who added an extra touch of warmth to the place.

The restaurant itself exudes a charming Italian ambiance, with tasteful decor and soft lighting that sets the perfect mood for a cozy dining experience. The attention to detail in creating an authentic Italian setting is evident and greatly enhances the overall dining experience.

Moving on to the food, I was simply blown away by the culinary delights Daffy's has to offer. The menu features a wide variety of traditional Italian dishes, each bursting with flavor and prepared with the utmost care. Whether you're a fan of classic pasta dishes or indulging in their mouthwatering entrees, the quality of the ingredients and the skillful execution shine through in every bite.

The service at Daffy's is exceptional. The waitstaff is knowledgeable, attentive, and always ready to offer recommendations or cater to any special requests. I truly appreciated their dedication to ensuring that every guest feels welcomed and well taken care of.

Overall, my experience at Daffy's in Holborn was nothing short of fantastic. Dannie and Daffy's warm hospitality, combined with the delicious food, impeccable service, and the presence of their lovable dog Blue, make this establishment a true gem. Whether you're a local or just passing through, I highly recommend paying a visit to Daffy's and indulging in their authentic Italian cuisine. You won't be...