La Cantina (Italian) – London, England (6/10)
Aug 7th, 2007 by admin
[UPDATE: Jan 2009 - La Cantina has closed down and in its place is cheery café Lantana]
Having read a good review about La Cantina, a small family-run Italian restaurant, I thought I’d take my friend who was visiting from Hong Kong. I booked a table for 7.30 and was allocated a table near the entrance, where everyone had to walk past in order to get in and out. Not the best table in the restaurant, I have to say. Admittedly, it’s a cosy, rustic place, and not at all fancy. There are several tables outside for alfresco dining, 20 covers inside and a further 30 downstairs.
It felt a bit like being in Italy, and chaotic as well, with the younger members of staff not really knowing what they were doing, nor being able to speak much English. One of the older male waiters (he could have been the owner) was friendly though, to the extent that at one point he just pulled me and my chair away from the table, to reach a bottle on a wine rack! I couldn’t imagine this happening anywhere else.
We had to share the specials board with another table and it kept getting turned away from us, which was irritating. We finally managed to order two of the special seabass alla griglia (£15.95), served with salad or vegetables. The fish was huge and very fresh, while the vegetables were neither soggy nor overdone, leaving us far too full to attempt dessert.
The verdict?
The upstairs section and outside seating were full by the time we left. I could see that the waiters were busy but it took far too long for the bill to arrive. I don’t think I’d go back again – I don’t mind ‘quirky’ service, but eating out should be enjoyable and relaxing and sitting where we were was neither.
10 – Perfection, 9.5 – Sensational, 9 – Outstanding, 8.5 – Superb,
8 – Excellent, 7.5 – Very good, 7 - Good, 6.5 - Above Average, 6 – Average
All the London restaurant reviews on World Foodie Guide
Contact Details:
La Cantina
13 Charlotte Place
London W1T 1SN
Tel: 020 7323 1488
Hello Auntie Helen
sounds funny
and yummy
but annoying for you guys
Chloe
Hello Chloe! I suppose I was being a bit fussy. But I think when you’re trying to eat nice food, you have to be able to relax as well! Come to London soon, and I’ll take you out to eat…Helen Yuet Ling