Carluccios

great stuff

11 Apr 08, 09:50 Above expectations

Carluccios is always tasty, but this is one of the best branches. There can sometimes be a bit of a wait for a table and you can end up a bit too close to the people at next table along, but the food makes up for it! In particular the pasta with spinach balls. This is unreal. I'm salivating even thinking about it! If you want to venture away from pasty then the pork belly is delicious too. Pasta with Spinach balls every time!

Noisy But Enjoyable

02 Jan 08, 15:15 Above expectations

I stumbled across this place in a real 'I am starving, lets eat here' kind of way. It was on the way to a shopping destination, I had heard mixed reviews about the brand but decided I wanted to make my own mind up - so I went for it.

It is funny because I would have to agree with Lucy C and say that I dined at the weekend and I did fee like I was brunching in a play school or junior school hall. However we were seated in a cozy corner and this provided some relief from the noise.

So with all the moans aside, I could not fault the food - mine was delicious! I ordered the spinach and ricotta ravioli, which came with butter and Parmesan cheese and was really dreamy. It literally melted in the mouth and it was the nicest pasta I have tasted in a long time.

My fellow diner and I shared the mixed bread tin which was yummy, we also managed to escape in a fairly short amount of time which was pretty good considering just how busy this place was.

Lovely food, but do beware if you don't like to dine with a lot children and families don't venture here at the weekend. An all round enjoyable experience. Would love to go back on a weekday evening or to try the deli/shop.

Dependable Italian

09 May 07, 15:36 As expected

Carluccio's is a chain of affordable, modern Italian restaurants and the South Ken branch is a good one. Half restaurant, half deli the food is dependable and tasty. The menu is quite limited but the classics are all there, mozarella & tomato salad and lovely rice balls - that sort of thing. The canteen atmosphere gives a relaxed and casual feel although the high ceilings in this branch can make it quite noisy. NB beware the hoards of brunching children at the weekend! The deli section is great though quite expensive - beautiful lemon tarts and the packaging is beautiful. I think the best thing about Carluccios are the picnic boxes they do - you have to order them 24 hours in advance, but they are really good value and are the perfect solution for a romantic picnic with zero effort. Lots of lovely pots with beautiful salads and things. Really worth checking out.