Il Colosseo — Restaurant in Rushmoor

The business had been established for a long time, I had been in this Italian restaurant in North Camp, Farnborough, that experience was not so nice but did not bother to leave a review. I had to meet somebody yesterday and the restaurant was the nearest from where I am. The building is an old style architecture, plain outside, you entered a small door and you will see a high ceiling room with long tables, even if the table setting was fine dining style, the ambience was very dull and dark. I met one staff wearing a white and black uniform, I was looking for a big table enough to eat and work a bit, I was being offered a small table for two, As the waiter told me that they have a function, I cannot use that table and those sections etc, so, it was a red flag, I was expecting that they will ask for more informations till we agreed on something, I selected the last round table that was prepared lousy (not the same as for the “function”. I needed a space so I settled in a dark corner. Red flag: Unwelcome behaviour. I ordered a calamari, a squid with coated Fluor and some pepper, the squid was rubber-type, the only consolation was it’s hot and there was a sauce to dip. I am hungry, so I had to, the main food was a chicken, the sauce was delicious but the chicken was a struggle, again, am starving, so I had to fill the stomach. Of course, we could understand that they need to earn money but the serving was obvious, big plate and the food arrangement will take care of the rest. I would confirm that the price is expensive. I won’t mind paying more and as long as the food and customer service are great. Overpriced in my opinion, lesser quantity, BUT…. The customer service bothered me more and I will NEVER set my foot, three times the staff came and attempted to take my plate. Common mistake of any waiter! It doesn’t feel nice! I had to tell the waiter to please stop coming to get my plate - ruined everything. Going back to the function and the selection of the table, they could’ve been honest to tell me that they have a function and if we think we could be finish before the arrival of the guests, it is alright. By the time we left there were only three tables occupied - not on the long table. The one star was for the sauce.

Tip: Customer service must be seriously improved, always ask before you get the plate rather attempt to get a plate then ask. The aura is so dull. Do not ever make your guest feel unwelcome. Check your price and serving quantity, chicken was dry. Training should be highly considered. Manners specifically and fair...

Il Colesseo in my opinion, feels a bit out of touch with trying to get returning customers. Don't get me wrong, the staff were attentive. The restaurant had high ceilings which made the place very loud acoustically. At times we struggled to understand/hear our waiters and ourselves. The food was punching above its weight did not fit the price tag. Not the greatest experience.

The food arrived quickly but at different intervals. From the first plate of our party of five to the last was about 5 minutes. So some of the food got cold on the table whilst waiting for the rest of our party to be served. The main dish I ordered was the "Pollo Diavola" - Breast of chicken with tomato, chilli and peppers. The taste was average and a bit bland. The portion sizes were not fitting for the price. There was minimal everything... vegetables, roasted potato cubes (about 3/4 inch in size) and chicken paillard was small. Was left feeling disappointed. We had a choice of dessert which was displayed to us on a regular tea trolly with no refrigeration. Quaint if you like that style but I would prefer a chilled dessert. The plated presentation of the Tiramisu dessert was not pretty. It felt like I was having a school dinner.

One thing to be wary of is the menu prices. They are displayed outside and on the tables. For the chicken dish on both of these is priced at £15.95. When the bill arrived it was priced at £16.95. So when ordering, I would advise checking with your waiter that the price on the menu is correct.

The dining experience at Il Colesseo was, for me, one to forget. Its a shame as there have been a lot of good reviews for the place. Maybe a review of the restaurant is required...

I ordered a bolognese, they brought me a small portion, the owner came and said it was his mistake to prepare a small portion and that he didn’t ask me. (Something that in the menu wasn’t mentioned anywhere) he offered me if I wanted that they could prepare some extra to compensate me.I accepted and they brought it for me. When the bill time came they had charge me 2 pasta bolognese with different prices. Btw the second portion that I was offered, was the same as the first one. So 1 portion was 15£ the second portion 10£ They told me to pay the most expensive, which I did. At the time of payment they tried to charge me double amount. I hate when Italians restaurant owners try to act smart and try to cheat. Food was very average....