La Verde Italian — Restaurant in Tandridge

One year on from our last visit. See review below. Sadly the Italian staff left and they have employed a new manager, Italian to keep with the theme, but NOT professionally trained. Rude arrogant and of the worst type. He was insulting one of our guests ( lovely lady in her 80s) in Italian thinking she and no one else would understand, which also makes him stupid as it was an italian class with 3 Italians. He insisted on playing loud music even though he was told to turn it down as no one could hear each other speak. Even worse there were only 3 other, small tables and we were 17. He was dressed in black torn trousers. Made no effort at all. He was loud, full of himself, and paid no interest in our experience. It was all about him. Peacock. The bill was messed up as he tried to sneak in an extra cover, but we challenged him. Also the price was extremely high for the level of restaurant at £60 each with one or two courses and most had only soft drinks. The other staff were courteous, but clearly untrained. The only redeeming features were that the place still has most of the setup, though they are trying to add more seating to make it more cramped even though it is empty.

So sadly, the old high standards have vanished, as we all feared. Not going back. ANd I have just noted they have changed the name - a good sign that things are bad - to The Hideaway.

------ old review ------------------------------------

A tough act to follow: This was Chez Vous which was the last quality restaurant in the whole area. Besides an excellent menu, the food was outstanding, service impeccable and professional, with PROPERLY trained staff. So do the new owners match up?

On first appearances, yes, as the building, table layout and décor has little changed. Still met on entry by staff who take your coat and hats, etc, and lead you to the bar area for drinks and to browse the menu and wait for friends/family. When ready you are still escorted to your table, which is as before well laid and plenty of space between tables. It is from here we start to see the differences. The new restaurant is purportedly Italian (it was French), however, there is only one Italian waiter and there are only 3 Italian kitchen staff. It is clear that when the waiter leaves then service will plummet, as he was/is the only professionally trained waiter. The rest have no idea how to serve correctly. Just like other restaurants – the trade is lost in Croydon and surrounding area. There is no wine waiter either, something needed for a quality restaurant and worth their weight in gold. The menu is good as a selection, but the spelling mistakes are all over the menu. My wife is Italian, and we were there with 2 of her classes, so we played a game of who could find the most mistakes. Errors NO ITALIAN would ever make, which had until then put us off trying the new restaurant. In hindsight, that shouldn’t deter, the menu was good for choices and typically Italian. When served, the food was well presented and very well cooked and excellent. Wine choices were good too, though limited assistance as the waiter had to double up as the wine waiter. Cost, we found very good, though we had to ask for complimentary after drinks, which should have been instantly offered, and they messed up our bill, suddenly asking for an additional £25 that they had missed off. Personally, given what we had spent and that they had messed up, I would have written it off.

So to sum up. Overall a very positive experience with a good menu choice, typical of Italy, even with spelling mistakes. The spacing between tables and reception were good, though service, for the location, was not professional. I can see that in time when the Italians leave this will, if the proprietor doesn’t bring the staff up to speed, and maintain top quality chefs, that this will become another average restaurant. Worth a...

One of the standout features of Italian cuisine is the incredible variety and depth of flavors. The first bite of a perfectly made margherita pizza, with its crispy yet soft crust, tangy tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil, truly transports you to the heart of Naples. The balance of flavors is so harmonious, you can't help but savor each bite. And for those who love a bit of spice, the arrabbiata pasta, with its zesty tomato sauce and just the right kick of red pepper flakes, never disappoints.

Another fan favorite is the creamy and rich risotto. Whether it's the earthy mushroom risotto or the seafood version, with tender shrimp and scallops cooked to perfection, it’s a dish that delivers both comfort and indulgence. The texture of the rice, cooked just right to absorb the flavors, combined with the freshness of the ingredients, makes each mouthful an unforgettable experience.

The Italian antipasti, too, is a great way to start your meal. With a selection of cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables, it’s a feast for the senses. The quality of the ingredients shines through, making each small bite a delight.

For dessert, you can’t go wrong with a classic tiramisu. A rich, velvety combination of mascarpone, espresso-soaked ladyfingers, and a dusting of cocoa powder is pure heaven on a plate. Some restaurants even get creative by adding a twist to this classic, like a citrus or chocolate variation, which keeps the tradition fresh...

This was my first visit to my new local Italian restaurant. The first thing I noticed is that all staff were Indian, which didn’t make it feel very authentic. Although the service was the best experience of the night, so no complaints about the staff.. I had marina linguine & the other three had pollo Milanese with spaghetti. Everything was cooked well but we all thought something wasn’t quite right. My daughter then put her finger on it & we all agreed. The pasta wasn’t pasta it tasted, acted & looked like noodles. I have been told the chefs are Chinese & Eastern European so there isn’t an Italian on the premises. They have built a nice new bar inside the restaurant & it seemed like there were more tables but I preferred it when I didn’t feel as squashed in. Unfortunately I don’t see the restaurant lasting unless they change the type of food they serve or they hire Italian staff. It took me too far out of my comfort zone and when I go to a restaurant if it’s Italian, Thai, Indian, Turkish I have an expectation & unfortunately La Verde...