Pollini at Ladbroke Hall — Restaurant in London

Pollini at Ladbroke Hall – When Style Can’t Cover Substance

This might read more like a cautionary tale than a glowing review, but it's worth saying: restaurants, especially those aiming for a premium price point and prestige, need to meet the standards they’re projecting. Hospitality isn’t easy—Consumers are expecting accountability: if you’re charging a premium, you’re delivering a premium.

Walking into Pollini, the first thing that strikes you is the visual drama — the sculptural chandelier by Nacho Carbonell is genuinely impressive, and the Sir C. Le Brun paintings add to the effect. Wandering through the Art-gallery while waiting for the rest of our friends was a bonus.

The garden, though nicely maintained — designed by Chelsea Flower Show winner Luciano Giubbilei— is pleasantly dotted with bronze sculpture, but falls short of the jaw-dropping oasis gushed about by many. In a city brimming with outstanding landscape design spaces, it simply isn’t standing out.

Drinks: A Misstep from the Start

Eyeing the wine list, we recoiled at the pretentious, extortionate mark-ups, and opted for cocktails instead. — we asked for them not to include syrups. We were told that they batch all the cocktails - like the punch at an office Christmas party - Strike #1.

Our polite waiter, who was lovely throughout, offered a spicy margarita with no syrup and we accepted. The first spicy margarita arrives cloyingly sweet and flat, missing spice and fresh lime juice zing. — so we send it back. Strike #2

The next version lands as diluted tequila propped up by bottled citrus - missing the orange liquor - and garnished with a sad, cruditée sized chili bobbing forlornly. Two of our friends found it undrinkable spicy, almost as if it was made with spite. Strike #3.

We were offered a third version but declined— it was clear the basics just weren’t there.

Crafting a decent cocktail isn’t rocket science. Even modest bars can manage fresh juice, proper prep, and balance. That’s simply the standard.

FOOD Lacklustre at Best

Deciding to pace ourselves after the drink experience and the looks of the food on other tables - we ordered lightly.

The 'Cynar and orange marinated olives’ arrived in an oil slick — without a trace of Cynar or orange flavors. The focaccia was cut in thick slices dotted with semi-dried tomatoes that promised flavor, but delivered none.

The 'anchovies with sour dough' turn up as five skinny fillets alongside a massive scoop of butter and two small, thin, dry toasts; it felt like three separate ingredients trying to masquerade as one larger dish.

The 'frito platter’ was limp rather than crisp, accompanied by a dull caper aioli that failed to rescue it. The presentation felt half-hearted, and the taste was bland without a hint of seasoning.

The 'tortellini with spinich' looked good in their cute parcels garnished with fried sage, The shape was pristine, but unfortunately they were drowned in insipid melted butter, again missing the actual sage fragrance and flavor

The 'sea bass carpaccio' was a low point. It was instead a battuta — for those who may not realise the difference, aside from requiring a higher-quality fish, carpaccio is where chefs showcase their knife skills, cutting delicate slices. Battuta is a different technique; rather than slicing, the fish is beaten into submission to coax a creamy texture, then the fish can be pressed to be wafer-thin between wax paper or cling film ahead of service. Ours tasted like it had been lounging in the fridge too long. The bottarga seemed like it had been pressed in with the fish and clingfilm along with the lime rind, which is a shame because fresh airy bottarga shavings can be delightful; instead, the final product was bitter and Vapid.

Then spotting a stray hair under the last bite should have been cause for complaint; but by then, we had decided to cut our losses, we’re simply keen to escape.

Slipping out into the night with queasy stomachs (my husband’s even downing an...

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Pollini at Ladbroke Hall is truly exceptional. From the moment you step inside, you feel the charm and history of the building—it’s a place with soul and character that makes the whole dining experience even more special.

The food is outstanding. Every dish is prepared with incredible attention to detail, and the flavors are perfectly balanced—both refined and comforting at the same time. You can tell that the chefs and kitchen team take real pride in their craft; each plate feels like a work of art, not just visually but in taste as well.

Service is impeccable—professional, warm, and attentive without being intrusive. The waiters have a genuine passion for what they do, which shines through in how they guide you through the menu and make you feel welcome from start to finish.

Friday Jazz Nights are an absolute highlight—amazing music in such an elegant setting, paired with exceptional food and wine, creates an atmosphere that’s hard to match anywhere in London.

Pollini isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience where history, culture, cuisine, and hospitality all come together beautifully. Highly recommend to anyone looking for something...

Pollini at Ladbroke Hall is a hidden gem in London and an absolute delight. My partner and I celebrated our anniversary here, and it was truly one of the best dining experiences we've ever had. The restaurant is located inside an art gallery, creating a curated and stylish ambiance that feels unique, cozy, and elegant without being overly posh.

The food was outstanding, showcasing creative Italian cuisine with incredible flavors. We opted for seafood, which was exceptionally fresh and perfectly prepared. The cocktails were equally impressive, adding a nice touch to the evening.

What really stood out was the impeccable service. From the moment we arrived to the time we left, the entire team made us feel warmly welcomed and taken care of. Their attention to detail and genuine hospitality made the experience even more special.

As someone who travels extensively and dines in restaurants around the world, I can confidently say Pollini is in a league of its own. Highly recommended for a memorable...