I found this Carluccio’s a huge disappoinment. It’s located in one of my favourite spots in Central London - St Christopher’s Place, a charming quad set back from Oxford Street.

Yesterday (due to the salubrious appearance of the sun, I imagine) St Christopher’s Place was unusually packed with people.

We needed to grab a quick dinner,and thought we’d try Carluccio’s as we’d heard many good things.

Firstly the service was AWFUL. It was slow, surly and curt. (If something can be slow and curt all at once, it is the service at Carluccio’s). We asked for a table for two and were left standing for ten minutes while the hostess just rolled her eyes looking for a table outside - we didn’t even want a table outside, but she didn’t ask. Eventually we had to say, “we are going inside, where there are loads of tables”.

Although not absurdly expensive, it’s also not a bargain, and my salad was actually gross. The chicken tasted like spam - you know that texture where it feels all covered in jelly because it’s been in a tin? It was supposed to be smoked chicken, so goodness knows how it ended up tasting like spam. Also, there was absolutely no balsamic vinegar in the dressing, which it was meant to have. I really didn’t enjoy it, but didn’t have time to order anything else. My friend’s pasta was very bland and not particularly generous with the clams. Also, it was nearly stone cold.

Next time we’ll go to Pizza Express. It is at least reliable.

Of all the Carluccio's, this is my favourite. Not because it offers anything different from the others, but it's a great location - a little oasis away from the chaos of oxford st.
The food is always good. Very occasionally it comes up cold and you have to send it back, but they are always good about it. Generally though, it's a reliable place for a quick bite to eat.