Carluccio's

Very busy and full of screaming children on a Saturday! However, the food was good and the view over the Thames is lovely! Just don’t forget the earplugs..

Nowhere beats Carluccio's for brunch in Kingston.

Always a winner!

I like Carluccio's. They serve good Italian food at reasonable prices. Take, for instance, their two course set menu for £9.95, which applies even at dinner-time. I doubt there are many places out there as nice as a Carluccio's where you could sit down, be served and have a decent meal for less than £10 (excluding service). The service is nice and friendly as well.

The only quibble I have is that portions seem to be on the small side. They're not tiny, but the ravioli I ordered as part of my set meal... let's just see I finished devouring it in five minutes, while the rest of my friends - all hungry boys - took twice the time to finish their pasta dishes.

The dessert I had the evening I went - chocolate bread and butter pudding (described as a "collapsed chocolate croissant" by the waiter) - was delicious.

Great location by the river, has outdoor seating ( cold hard metal chairs). Was not impressed with service - waited for 30 mins before the menu card arrived ( they were not even busy ), another 30mins to take the order( they were standing around and I had to call for attention ,again) another hour before the food arrived ( by then the heavens had opened and we fled indoors with our plates). Plates were not cleared promptly ( heard staff bickering). Finally asked for the manager.. .. explained the protracted service we had had… coffee and desserts on the house were offered… would have been too churlish to refuse we reckoned so accepted gladly. Nope this time it all arrived al pronto and was served by the manageress herself !
So, what happened Carlucchio - did we pick a bad bad day!? Haven’t been back since and although I pass by often my courage fails me each time to step through that door. I rather go to Zizzi’s which is not so far away …......

Quick service and reasonably priced, I can’t get enough of their penne giardiniera! The deli bit is also good, for things to take home, both snacks and full meals. You can also buy their cookbooks and make the dishes at home. There is lots of branches, so there’s bound to be one nearby.

Carluccio’s is where I go when I need specialty Italian cheese and I’m not in the West End with its independent delis. Carluccio’s is expensive for ingredients, but it also stocks pretty much everything that a home cook attempting an Italian dish is likely to want. I use it for fontina, which is cheaper than at somewhere such as Selfridge’s and of a better quality. I probably wouldn’t buy a black truffle here until the recession is over, but Carluccio’s seasonal stock, such as big thick chunks of delicious candied orange peel (sent to stores sometime during November) presents many great purchases.

Although Carluccio’s is a chain, I rather like it. I like the location of this particular branch. The food is of good standard,the menu could do with updating from time to time but they normally have a varied specials board. I love their bread basket and olives whilst waiting for a main. It’s a child friendly place, and as mentioned before it’s often full of yummy mummy’s or families so I would not recommend as a romantic meal out! Reasonably priced and a fantastic deli with many lovely Italian treats to take home…
Great Breakfast menu which seems to be very popular as always busy - great coffee.

Lovely situated Italian restaurant with very good food.

On Sat. and Sun. mornings, very, very busy as this restaurant overall is very child friendly, so be prepared to book ahead or wait for a table.

Lots of child high-chairs, lots of colouring place mats and crayons, so popular with adults who don’t want trendy, interesting food in a child-friendly atmosphere (and who can’t stand Pizza Hut!!).

The prices are slightly higher (8-10 quid for main evening meal, or 6+ quid for breakie), but worth it.

The location is lovely for people watching (in front of a court-yard near some canals, trendy apartments and the Thames). And is a perfect place in the summer with the big glass doors thrown open and a lovely relaxing place to sip a glass (or 2) of vino and people-watch.

For trendy, poncy-looking restaurant, the staff are very welcoming and friendly and tolerant of mis-behaving kids.

Lastly, there’s a little shop inside the restaurant as well where you can by anti-pasta, oils, breads, deserts, cooking books, etc …

Make sure you have some olives and breads-with-oils if you go there in the arvo. or evening.

cheers

Carluccios is becoming a victim of it’s own success. During the day this place is more like a creche for the ‘Yummy Mummys’ who let their offspring run and scream to their hearts content.

In the summer the outside seating is nice and the location with the river so near is fantastic. Service can be sometimes a bit below par.

I quite enjoy popping in here and trying all their tasters when buying a take-out coffee.

This particular one is beautifully located on the river, and the food is as good as all branches of carluccios. Crisp, melting squid, and rich, gorgeous lasagne. You just can’t beat it for quick good italian food.

Usual formula, good value food. Friendly and pleasant, plenty of outside seats but not always in the sun. Close to the river. Gets busy, worth booking.

This authentic Italian caffé has been a favourite of mine ever since it opened a few years ago. Still true to the ethos of owners Antonio and Priscilla Carluccio, it runs smoothly and is a pleaser - for me - on several levels.

It's in a great setting, just by the scenic river Thames; in decent weather you can sit outside and take advantage of this. Whether you just fancy a coffee, only a drink or a light one-course meal, you'll still be welcome.

The service is good and friendly and in the rare event that there is a problem - like a corked glass of wine - (as happened to me on one occasion) it will be readily changed, without a fuss.

When you want some take-out food you'll find many of the menu highlights available at the deli. For a gift or personal treat there are true tastes of Italy, appealingly packaged, in the shop.