Vesuvius Restaurant — Restaurant in Maidstone

I visited Vesuvius Restaurant in Maidstone as we were told to try it, so we thought we’d give it a go and unfortunately, my experience was far from satisfactory. Upon entering the restaurant, I noticed that it was empty, and the atmosphere was lacking. The temperature inside was uncomfortably cold, which detracted from the overall dining experience.

The quality of the food was disappointing. The zucchini fries were excessively greasy, making them barely edible. Similarly, the lasagne was greasy and cold in the middle, indicating improper heating which I could not finish. My partner's carbonara was served in a small bowl no bigger that cereal size and was exceptionally dry, resembling the arid Sahara desert.

Furthermore, the speed of service was surprisingly rapid. Our meals arrived within five minutes of ordering, which seemed too quick for freshly prepared dishes ??. This rushed service did not contribute to a pleasant dining experience.

To add to the dissatisfaction, upon receiving the bill, we were charged for an item that I did not consume. This further soured our impression of the restaurant.

Overall, our visit to Vesuvius Restaurant was unpleasant, and we will not be returning. Instead we left the restaurant and headed straight to La Viletta, our preferred Italian restaurant in Maidstone. La Viletta consistently delivers outstanding food, with a great atmosphere and excellent value for money. I cannot recommend Vesuvius Restaurant to anyone, including family and friends, based on my...

🍽️ Just dropped by Vesuvius Restaurant and here's the lowdown:

🇮🇹 Ambiance: Stepping into Vesuvius is like a time travel to old-school Italy. Everything has a really vintage touch. It’s not exactly my cup of tea as I lean towards more modern settings, but it's got character!

🤔 Service: Had a bit of an odd experience. The waitress seemed a tad unsure, not even asking for our booking name. Made me wonder why we booked in the first place.

🍞 Food: The garlic breadsticks came in a packet, which was unexpected. I reckon serving them out of the packet might add a touch of freshness! The menu choices and the dishes themselves were a bit basic for my taste. However, the roast potatoes were a hit - not sure how Italian they are, but delicious nonetheless! Tried a bit of the carbonara and found it a bit bland.

🍴 Overall Vibe: The place was buzzing for a Friday night, which was nice to see.

Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

It didn't quite hit the spot for me, and while I might not head back on my own initiative, I'm open to giving it another go if someone...

What a discovery - authentic Italian food here in Maidstone! Our first visit to Vesuvius and it certainly won't be our last.

Thank you to Alessandro, his partner and team, who have created something unique in Maidstone.

Having enjoyed traveling in Italy, we love Italian food. Vesuvius doesn't only serve fantastic food but the atmosphere inside feels like a little bit of Naples right here on our doorstep. Our food choices included aubergine, seafood, and steak, which were delicious.

With the steak, the recommended wine was Gragnano, a sparkling red served chilled, imported from a spot close to the foot of Mt Vesuvius itself. It paired perfectly with the steak - an enjoyable surprise!

The dessert menu was another thing too - my wife is a bit of a tiramisu expert, having tried many throughout Italy, and was delighted. For me, the hot dark chocolate pudding with white chocolate inside...

Safe to say, we're looking forward to our next visit!

... updated a few visits later and I have one word to...