Trattoria Calabrese — Restaurant in London

The outside gives an indication of what to expect inside. Reviews don’t replicate the food or experience of what you receive unfortunately. My partner and I decided to start trying more local restaurants based on reviews, and with this being a high scoring one, thought we could have found a gem. Great greeting from the manager (we think) and each course, was uncomfortably back checked by him to see how the food was (his friendliness was a cover for the low quality of the food and to assist in perhaps receiving a higher rating on some platform). The food was not great. ‘Homemade soup’ (extremely doubtful) that was a blended mixture of vegetables, resembled brown sludge with zero taste. Bread that had been ‘homemade’…ie, part-baked rolls heated in the oven (dry), overcooked meat (lamb), bland flavours, no accompanying veg (Bruschetta was okay). It’s as though the chef was the third stand in, who perhaps learnt his trade somewhere other than, Italy. Anyway, £55 later (not including drinks) and here’s the review. You sometimes get and don’t get, what you pay for. To reaffirm,...

SUPERB - We have been regular dinners at Calabrese for the past four years, having lived on Coombe Lane West for 15 years, it’s been fantastic to have the Trattoria on our doorstep, we are always made to feel welcome and the staff are friendly, professional and great fun. The food is fantastic, it’s made fresh to order and very authentic Italian. My kids love the Pizzas and Pastas all of which are delicious. I think I have tried pretty much everything on the menu and if my trousers could be let out a just little more I would be there a couple of times a week… My favourite is the Linguine Al Frutti Di Mare and at £12.95 it really is exceptional value and very, very fresh. Food does sometimes take time to come out but, good things always do, and they always manage to squeeze us in and make a point of getting the children’s meals out quickly so I don’t mind waiting a short while and getting tucked into a bottle of their delicious house Red. Thanks Selim and the team for many wonderful meals and we look forward to seeing you at...

We tried this restaurant because it was in the neighborhood we are staying in and it had good reviews. We waited 20 minutes after being seated to get water (and I asked 3 times).

I ordered a four cheese penne pasta with nuts in it. Imagine powdered fettuccine alfredo. Do you have a mental picture yet? Now add way too much water to rehydrate it. That was my dinner for almost 11 pounds.

I send the entire plate back minus one spoon and tell the waiter I don't want this it isn't good and get a pizza instead.

Imagine my surprise when our charges me for both and argues with me about whether or not it's common practice to send back an entire plate! If zero stars were an option....

I noticed this place has a lot of stars so maybe I just had the misfortune of ordering the meal that they lost the recipe for and ended up with an atrocious excuse for Italian food. Or just maybe it was a recipe from a sci-fi film. Soylent Green anyone?

Do yourself a favor and get a can of Chef Boyardi if you are thinking of getting the four cheese...