Be jeered while overpaying at your peril...
27 May 08, 13:59
Well below expectations
For an overpriced glass of wine sitting outside watching the world go by- by all means go here, once inside though the pleasantries end unfortunately, while the food is mediocre, there is no kitchen and even the cakes are shop bought and sold at 10 times the price as the local bakery (where they are brought from) however this is not where this bar disappoints, the staff are rude and unhlepful. The manager has very little knowledge of wines and appeared to have his finger stuck up his nose for most of the evening.. half of our orders were forgotten and when finally delivered (by the manager himself) he proceeded to cough on our tomato cake without so much as an apology. The most disturbing though is being italian myself I could understand what was being said and the staff poked fun at their customers and jeered peoples appearances while taking money from them. The hefty bill was placed on our table without a smile to make room for the managers scruffy looking friends, all and all a very disappointing experience.
Best coffee, great wine, tasty nibbles
20 Jul 07, 12:33
Above expectations
I'll just start off by saying this place is on the pricey side. Witness rock stars (Giuseppe the manager discreetly claims they're look-alikes) hopping into their Aston Martins and zooming off down Westbourne Grove...
But...
The coffee is from Sant'Eustacchio (renowned coffee mecca worthy of a pilgrimage to Rome). The shop has a great selection of (mostly) Italian wines and specialty food & drink items for sale (including special seasonal items like killer Panettone at Christmas). The bar offers a dozen or so excellent still & sparkling wines by the glass, plus a menu of light sandwiches, cold cuts, cheeses, soups, and the like.
The sleek venue is divided by a corridor into two sections. The front has large windows on Portobello Road and Westbourne Grove (where there is outside seating in fine weather), a couple of tables, and the espresso/wine bar. The back is more cosy, with upholstered armchairs and a fireplace.
Negozio Classica is handy, comfortable, has great service. So, in the end, it's an experience worth the price.
