Verdi - Italian Kitchen at the Royal Albert Hall — Restaurant in London

Came to see a performance today so thought we would go to the restaurant prior, both the lady in a black suit on the desk and waitress today (29/05/2022) around 11:30am, made us feel so unwelcome from the get go. Being told it was reseveration only by the waitress and that they couldn't sit us.. which i totally would have understood but it was her attitude, no "sorry we're full" just "it's reservation only we can't sit you" as she looked at us bizzarely and confused.

The lady in the suit then came over and asked her colleague what was going on, she then looked me up and down as though I was a piece of dirt and told us the same - reservation only and that they were super busy with a smug look on her face.The restaurant had 4 tables taken, she clearly thought we had walked in off the street so I then told her we was here to see the orchestra show and to not worry we'd find somewhere else to get food before it started. She suddenly changed her mind and said no we can give you a table, messes about with the menus in a huff clearly annoyed, and proceeds to take us to one of the many empty tables.

We are seated and served our drinks by another different waitress who was lovely, 20 minutes later we still hadn't had our food order taken even though the resteraunt was empty. Throughout the 20 minute period I was given awful looks by the two original women we met as they walked passed our table repeatedly to the till/glassware area and they did not approach us while we were sat but approached the other 4 tables smiling and seeing if the other diners were okay. I have never ever felt so uncomfortable or judged in my life. I told my husband how awful they were making me feel and decided to pay the bill for our orange juices and leave. Absaloutely disgusting and judgemental service. For reference - I was wearing a autumn tartan pinifore dress, but had tattooed arms and some facial piercings - we had come to see lord of the rings for our 13 year anniversary and wanted to celebrate with a nice meal prior. For such lovely security and staff members at the Royal Albert hall, having the staff act in the manner they did at the restaurant really brought our first visit down and made me feel awful. Don't judge a book...

Sad to be critical about service and food at Verdi restaurant yesterday, 16 August, between 5.30 and 7.20. A Fawlty Towers experience without the wit -- seriously overpriced. Arrived at Verdi on opening, most tables still empty. Given we are still in Covid times, crumbs were on the table surface - had cleaning been forgotten between sittings?; three of the staff members serving our section wore their masks below their noses; no toothpicks to eat olives -- a spoon given for use instead --is this hygienic for sharing between two? Service: starters were delivered without cutlery -- we had to ask for it; starters almost finished when the red wine (Primitivo from Puglia) ordered when we placed our orders, only arrived after two requests (about 30 mins into the meal); wine not given a chance to air; white lint floated on the wine once poured -- presumably stuck to glasses during drying; glasses were changed but no apology; staff rushing -- appeared confused about which sections their responsibility. Food: on ordering it turned out three items of the already limited menu were not available, so 10% discount offered as compensation which we only noticed had not been applied after we had paid -- it was too late to fix as the concert was starting 10 minutes later so we needed to head for our seats; the main dish -- lamb -- was cold and served with shreds of impossible to cut aubergine skin; double espresso ordered at the end of the mains -- received after three requests(about 30 min delay in total). Payment: the bill included an automatic charity donation -- discovered after the rush of payment -- it would have been kind to have been asked if this is what I wanted to contribute to -- very arrogant assumption made by the Royal Albert Hall!! Service did not merit 12%...

I have always said if you opt for an Italian meal you will never leave dissatisfied. I will have to make an addition to that statement with unless you dine at Verdi. We were abruptly ushered to the correct communication point in the centre of the restaurant as It was clearly against policy to converse unless in the authorised zone or at your table. The maitre d' was very pleasant but that's where the niceties ended. Our waiter was a little low on the volume given the general hubbub of the busy restaurant. He was also very distracted when taking our order, looking around him whilst we gave our responses to his questions. The staff were quite young and seemed daunted and ran about with little efficiency. We were unlucky enough to be seated in close proximity to the service area, so with annoying frequency we were bombarded with shouts of service to an increasingly annoyed chef if the decree wasn't met with an immediate response. This was a problem that I am sure they could do little about given the restricted space available. Then came the biggest disappointment, the food arrived. It looked as presentable as a bowl of pasta could but that was where any commendation would end. Both our meals were akin to ready meals in texture and in taste. My wife's sorbet was adequate but my tiramisu had a more than liberal sprinkling of Coco powder on top and was reminiscent of attempting the cinnamon challenge. I am aware I can only comment on the two main meals and desserts that we consumed and can't speak for the entirety of the menu but this is somewhere I am not prepared to give the benefit of the doubt. If you must eat here I suggest a pizza as they at least looked appetising. All in all a substandard meal with poor service and a...