Sale e Pepe — Restaurant in London

Update: revisited on 23 Aug 2020

-Service 10/10 (still great) -Atmosphere 9/10 -Food 6/10 Ordered the following items : Calamari - very tasty, crunchy and well battered. Not overdone, would recommend. Chicken with garlic and butter: would not recommend at all. Lacked flavour, was simply chicken roulade with pieces of garlic and butter inside which is fried. There was a pool of melted butter on plate (which may sound nice, but be ready for heartburn) Spagetti carbonara: authentically made, however, the pasta was a little too al dente this time around. They were generous with pancetta. Would recommend. Spinach side : simply spinach sautéed in butter, can't go wrong. Because of previous experience, decided not to try any deserts.

After revisiting the restaurant, would I add to my list of favourite restaurants? Nope. Would I revisit again? Probably not. Initial visit:

Sale e Pepe in a nutshell : -Service 10/10 (if I could give more I would) -Atmosphere 10/10 -Food 7/10 Ordered the following items : Daily special : spagetti with black truffle : not as well seasoned as I expected, but add a little bit of salt and pepper and the dish was good. I would recommend to try other dishes on the menu. Profiteroles: choux pastry hard, seemed like the choux was old. Custard (not cream filled) Brownie with ice cream : would have rather called this warm cake with ice cream. Cake was rich and decadent (warm and moist). Would recommend. Tiramisu: not what I expected, biscuits were very tough and hard, seemed like they were old and had not been soaked in coffee water as you typically do with tiramisu. Could not taste marsala or coffee in the desert at all. Very disappointed. Would I revisit? Yes, the staff was one of the most friendly and welcoming I have ever seen. I would revisit to try other items...

I am deeply disappointed by my recent experience at Sale e Pepe, a restaurant I’ve frequented for years. On Friday, October 11th, I made a same-day reservation for 4:15 PM, with all time slots available. Due to traffic, I attempted to modify my reservation to 5 PM, but no one answered the phone, and I encountered errors online.

We arrived at 5 PM, understanding that our reservation might be canceled due to being late, and we apologized for the delay. However, the restaurant was extremely empty, with only 3-4 tables occupied, and the receptionist, Anna (with a black ponytail), was shockingly rude and unwelcoming. She refused to seat us, even though most tables were available. She even claimed that the bar was unavailable for food service because the restaurant was “fully booked,” which was clearly untrue given how empty the place was.

To make matters worse, I saw her seat a walk-in customer immediately after turning us away. After we left, I checked online reservations again (attaching a picture), and all time slots were still available, which contradicted Anna’s claim that the restaurant was fully booked.

I returned a few minutes later, and another staff member immediately offered us a table, confirming there was availability. When I confronted Anna, she panicked and suddenly tried to offer us a table by the door. However, at that point, I told her we wouldn’t sit there because of her rude attitude. It felt like we were begging to sit in an almost-empty restaurant.

I truly don’t understand why it’s up to an uneducated and impolite receptionist to decide whether we can have a table at available times. I don't like to say this, but her behavior was incredibly rude and unprofessional, especially in a fine dining establishment. The experience was truly frustrating and...

We recently dined at Sale e Pepe in London to celebrate my wife’s birthday, and it was an unforgettable experience that deserves nothing less than a glowing review. From the moment we walked into this charming Knightsbridge gem, the warm ambiance and attentive staff set the tone for a truly special evening. Our server, Shampa, was an absolute standout. Her warmth, professionalism, and genuine enthusiasm made the night feel extra special. She went above and beyond to ensure my wife’s birthday was celebrated in style, surprising us with thoughtful touches that added a personal flair to the evening. Shampa’s recommendations were spot-on, and her attentiveness never felt intrusive—just the perfect balance of care and charm. The food was exceptional, with a menu that beautifully showcases classic Italian cuisine with a refined touch. A particular highlight was their gluten-free pasta and options, which were a godsend for my wife, who has dietary restrictions. The gluten-free dishes were just as delicious and well-executed as the rest of the menu, proving that Sale e Pepe caters to all diners without compromising on quality or flavor. Every bite, from the perfectly al dente pasta to the rich, flavorful sauces, was a testament to the kitchen’s skill and dedication. The atmosphere was lively yet intimate, making it the ideal setting for a special occasion. The attention to detail, from the elegant decor to the impeccable service, elevated the entire experience. Sale e Pepe is a must-visit for anyone seeking authentic Italian cuisine with heart and soul. Thank you, Shampa, and the entire team, for making my wife’s birthday so memorable—we can’t...