Manuel's Italian and Mediterranean Restaurant and Bar — Restaurant in London

We visited Manuel’s restaurant for a special occasion yesterday night. The place is very nice, we sat outside and booked ahead of time. Food was outstanding, and the only reason why I am not giving 5 to this local gem, is because if food was 5 out of 5, service we received was very poor yesterday (I would give service 2 out of 5).

We waited 1.5 hours for our mains, as our order got lost and we got to eat at 10pm, one hour plus after receiving our starters. When eventually one waiter came to ask us what we were waiting for (as they wrapping up at that point) we very surprised and we told him we were waiting for the mains. Waiter left and never came back with information about how long that would take or what happened (as it was clear by then, that our mains were not being cooked after all that time). He pretty much avoided eye contact and stayed at the end of restaurant chatting with other staff. After waiting some more and as we are now ready to leave, another waiter comes to ask what we were waiting for, at which point we ask for the bill.

Soon after that, the chef and co-owner came to speak to us and he was very apologetic, explaining that for yesterday night in particular they did not use their usual experienced staff as they were on leave. This would explain also why other little things were a bit odd yesterday (considering the high review this place has and the mention of great customer service) such as when we sat, we waited for a menu for nearly 10 min, and we had to ask for one at the end. Or why we got asked us if we wanted butter but then never received it or why they let us order the specials and only told us after a while that they run out. Also a very confused young waiter was walking with plates and drink back and forward, trying to understand where they needed to go. Restaurant was not busy either.

Chef very kindly waived cost of both mains, and we got our food not long after. Food was again excellent, however at that point, we were not much hungry anymore and wine was finished after the long wait, which meant we did not enjoy them as much as we could have.

We will definitely come back because the food was truly incredible, fresh and so tasty. We had the scallops (capesante), king prawns, the lobster linguine and the seafood risotto with a bottle of Very cold Pinot Grigio. Chef/Co-owner was very honest in his explanation and it was clear that we have just been unlucky with the night. Offering the two plates free of charge was also very kind and we truly appreciated that. Lovely Italian waitress too, from my hometown.

Hope to...

Me and my family (6 of us) attended for my belated birthday meal on a Saturday evening. Having read the reviews prior, and seeing it was high up on the list of best restaurants in London we were extremely looking forward to our visit. Disappointing is an understatement. Please note, when I booked the table on the phone, I was told we would need to PRE ORDER our food beforehand, otherwise we would have to wait a long time for it, so we pre ordered. Upon our arrival, we were offered drinks and our starter followed around 20 minutes after this. Great. Then it all started going wrong. We must've waited AT LEAST over an hour for our mains.. to the point where most of us weren't even hungry anymore. The restaurant wasn't even that busy, there were perhaps 6 other tables taken at best. They had young, trainee waiters in this evening learning which is fine and dandy. But when my sister in law asked one of them where our food was, he disappeared off into the kitchen, came back out 10 minutes later and just carried on working and walking around. not coming back over to us with an update on our food. He clearly didn't give a toss. Perhaps they need to be trained better. We asked another, more experienced, waiter again where our mains were.. he explained it's all cooked fresh and can take a while bla bla bla, but over an hour to wait for our mains is ridiculous. Bare in mind my sister in law didn’t have a starter so she was starving. The waiter didn't seem to care and just laughed it off. When the food eventually did come, it was average. I had the crab and lobster ravioli which looked like cat sick and probably tasted like it too. Lamb shank was average. Food was warm, not overly hot. Liver and beef fillet was nice enough. Wasn't impressed really. Asked for the bill, and asked to take off the service charge as we weren't happy to pay £27. The waiter didn't look happy. My dad explained we shouldn't have to wait over an hour for our mains so we don't want to pay the service charge. The waiter replied with some condescending comment stating "well I don't know what sort of restaurants you go to" and started laughing?? Clearly doesn't like being told negative things about his food/restaurant. I will expect the owner to reply to this review with his excuses, as he has done with the previous reviews. A simple apology and perhaps a drink on the house would've made up for the long wait time. But because of the waiters attitudes, I've had to write this review instead. Much better Italian...

I have never done a 5 star review for a restaurant but this one is the exception.

Seafood Soup A delightful Zuppetta alla Pescatora (Fish and Seafood Soup) that perfectly captures Mediterranean seafood flavors. This classic Italian starter features a rich blend of seafood, including prawns, mussels, and fish.

Chargrilled Lamb Chops Manuel's lamb chops aren't just a dish - they're a gastronomic revolution that challenges every preconceived notion about Mediterranean grilling. Imagine Sicilian shepherds meeting London's avant-garde culinary scene, all on a single plate.

Chargrilled sea bass This was a masterful seafood experience. The whole sea bass arrives perfectly prepared, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Their Homemade Lobster and Prawn Ravioli is nothing short of a culinary love letter to the sea, wrapped in delicate pasta and kissed by a luxurious sauce. This dish transcends expectation with its harmonious blend of indulgence and finesse.

Homemade Balsalmic Vinegar. Their homemade balsamic vinegar showcases an impressive depth of flavor characteristic of traditional Italian craftsmanship. The vinegar presents a rich, complex profile with a glossy, syrupy texture that beautifully enhanced the olives, char grilled sea bass and lamb chops. This was a compliment to everything we ate. Now that I think it, I should have tried it with the cheesecake.

Mango Cheesecake The Mango Cheesecake delights with its exquisite presentation and tropical flavor profile. The dessert captures the essence of a perfect fusion between creamy cheesecake and vibrant mango

The cheesecake boasts a harmonious balance of textures - a buttery, crumbly base giving way to a rich, smooth cream cheese layer infused with the distinctive sweetness of ripe mangoes

Each bite offers a luxurious combination of tangy cheesecake and the fruity allure of mango, creating a dessert that is both indulgent and refreshing.

It was so good that I had to order one to go.

It was my birthday and they played happy birthday to me and everyone clapped and congratulated me. Their customer customer service is a culinary hospitality masterpiece that transforms dining into an extraordinary experience. The restaurant's service philosophy goes far beyond mere transaction, creating a warm, welcoming environment where guests feel like cherished family members.

My wife and I will definitely be coming...