Naked Dough by Romeo — Restaurant in London

Today I visited Romeo’s on Wickham Road, I thought I’d pop in for a drink and cake with my toddler and baby in an effort to get out and about and support a local business. I used to go in there a lot when my eldest was a baby and always had a really enjoyable experience with the staff being very welcoming to me and my baby. This time however I had a really upsetting experience and I will not be going back again.

When I arrived I asked if there was room for the three of us and was told yes but that they would be closing at 3. It was only just gone 2pm so I said that was fine and found a table to sit at. I asked for a highchair for my baby, but then had to ask again as it wasn’t forthcoming. When the highchair was eventually brought over I couldn’t work out how to use it and so asked the female member of staff if she could help me. She came over, took a look and said she didn’t know how to work it and walked off. The lovely lady sitting at the table next to me then tried to help me but we still couldn’t work it out. The owner was there at the table next to me so the lady asked him if he could help us with the highchair to which he shrugged and replied that it wasn’t his problem, that he had provided the service of a highchair and it wasn’t his problem if other mums had come in and meddled with the highchair. He was extremely rude and unhelpful and so I said I would have to leave as there were no other highchairs and my baby needed to be strapped in. The kind lady helping me said to him that he needed to teach his staff how to fix the highchair as he was losing customers over it. He again said it wasn’t his problem.

I said to him that I had made a big effort to come in and support a local business and had been spoken to rudely by both him and the female member of staff. The owner then said to me that this was no longer a cafe and I couldn’t come in and just order a drink and cake (I hadn’t placed any order at this stage!), and he said he didn’t have cakes for sale. When I pointed out the cakes they had out on display he said they were part of a dessert and not for sale with just a drink. I could not believe how rude he was being, his rudeness then continued as I left the restaurant, when he said that I should just go across the road to the cafe and eat there. This was extremely embarrassing as he did this in front of the entire restaurant, it was also upsetting to happen in front of my children particularly my toddler who did not understand why someone was being so rude.

I was so shocked that the owner spoke to me in this way, particularly after the good experiences I had there in the past. It is a lot of effort to take a toddler and baby out anywhere and I really wish I hadn’t bothered trying to give...

WORST. ANNIVERSARY. EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My dear husband and I, who may I mention - is DYING, decided to celebrate our golden anniversary here (possibly our last together due to his stage of terminal rectal cancer). We were disappointed, to say the very least, at the dirt poor standard of service, hospitality and basic manners. The waitress rolled her eyes when we politely asked to discard the service charge, but quite frankly, they called it upon themselves. Nibbles = platter, starter = elevenses. Didn't get asked for ID, I'm sure they don't challenge 25. COVID posters in the toilets made me feel young, and brought me back to a place where my dear Henry was healthy.

I asked H how his ravioli was, he said - and I quote 'as runny as my shits after being exposed to gluten'. Carbonara was stodgy and the cheese was funny. Didn't even ask if either of us have an allergy, although we both purposefully wear pins that make it very clear of our gluten intolerence. Let's just say I thought Henry had recently purchased a trumpet.

P.S Romeo was spotted, but didn't even have the decency to greet well paying...

I might run out of compliments fot this place!

Italian food is my favourite one, and who does not love pizza?

BEST pizza in town and I dare anybody to show me otherwise ;)

I literally cannot eat pizza anywhere else as these pizzas are second to none. Thin crust, rich sauce, tasty pepperoni, creamy cheese, all of them together are the perfect combo for an unforgettable pizza experience.

But let's not forget about their bruschetta, I loved the Nduja one, nicely spicy. Also meatballs pasta is as fresh, tasty and delicious as you could ever expect it. Tender meatballs, sauce as rich and delicious as the pizza one and perfect pasta al dente.

Last but not least, their service is extraordinary, good attention to details which makes them give you everything as you want it, the way you want it and always helping you find the most suitable meal for your palate.

Thanks Tracy and Julian for bringing a bit of the wide Italian cuisine to Shirley, you have won a...