La Cosa Nostra — Restaurant in St Albans

When I called to book a table and the person on the phone emphasised repeatedly that we could only stay 1.5 hours, I should have concluded that the hospitality was not going to be good. Sadly, I thought it was charming and funny. When we arrived no one greeted us to ask if we had a reservation or wanted a table. We had to approach the staff which was standing and staring rudely at us, to ask for our reservation. The server made no small talk and made no attempt to find out if we had been there before. She seemed annoyed with us, just like the man on the phone. The food was tasty but overpriced. We ordered the aubergine starter with garlic bread to have together and they came out 15 minutes separate from one another. We couldn’t get anyone from the staff to look in our direction. So there was no way to remind them that they forgot to bring the bread. When the main meal came, they seemed annoyed that we needed more to drink. The place was very full, but the staff was not staying engaged with any table. They were just doing the bare minimum and hoping everyone would leave. There was one woman who was friendly, but she was not acting as a server. The menu says they reserve the right to add a service charge for tables of more than 5. We were four. We didn’t complain or cause anyone any trouble, but the service charge was added to the bill anyway, without asking. I won’t go back. There are other places in St Albans to go and have better food and...

Been here many times over the years I've lived in St Albans.

Every time I've been the food has never dissappointed, from the pizza to the pasta to the meat dishes they have all been extremely tasty and satisfying with littler to no complaints from anyone.

The reason I can't give it a full 5 start is primarily down to the service which I can only describe as a bit chaotic. This is for two main reasons, they've crammed too many tables / chairs into the restaurant and they perrhaps need an extra person or two on busy nights to provide better more attentive service. However, hats off to them for managing in the tough environment they have! I can't say I've ever had any bad experiences on the service front but it's not 10/10.

I would still absolutely recommend this place, mainly for the quality home-style food this establishment provides.

For example, I had the canneloni last night and it was so delicous and tasty that I couldn't help but scrape every last bit from the dish!

Price wise, it's pretty good value. Some nibbles to start, mains and two bottles of wine between 5 of us came to around £150 including service charge so £30 each, pretty good for what you get...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Cosa Nostra in St Albans, and it was truly a delightful experience. The highlight of our meal was undoubtedly the trio of thin crust pizzas we ordered: Pepperoni, Napolitana, and Fungi e Prosciutto. Each pizza was a masterpiece of flavors, with the thin crust providing the perfect canvas for the fresh and mouthwatering toppings.

To complement our meal, we enjoyed a bottle of Prosecco, which added a touch of effervescence and celebration to the evening. The crisp and bubbly Prosecco paired wonderfully with the pizzas, enhancing the overall dining experience.

Beyond the fantastic food, I must mention the exceptional hospitality we received from Francesco, who made us feel right at home. His warmth and attentiveness contributed to the inviting and welcoming ambiance of the restaurant.

Cosa Nostra in St Albans is a true gem that offers a delightful culinary journey. From the delectable pizzas to the gracious service, every aspect of our visit was top-notch. If you're in search of a memorable dining experience with an authentic Italian touch, look no further than Cosa Nostra. I can't wait to return and explore more of their...