(menu)

Book Now For Free!

  • Collect 100 points
  • Main Restaurant
 

Why Book Online?

  • Simple, speedy & secure
  • Make a reservation anytime of day
  • Check availability instantly
  • Earn loyalty points and gain fantastic rewards
  • Option to select current special offers
  • Confirmation email direct to your inbox
  • Add booking details to your Outlook calendar

Square Meal Selections

Square Meal Review of Manicomio ?

Norman Foster’s monochrome design creates a pared-down backdrop that’s as chic as the ‘great modern Italian food’ emerging from Manicomio’s kitchen. The cooking takes its cue from the Slow Food movement, placing the emphasis firmly on provenance & seasonality. For the full effect, ascend to the glassy first-floor restaurant where the likes of char-grilled squid with peas, spring onions & ‘nduja sausage or braised hake with samphire & borlotti beans await. The Italian-led wine list includes some budget options alongside the more expensive stuff, but there’s nothing too stratospheric. Those who complain that Manicomio is ‘overpriced’ should consider the ground-floor café/bar, which serves a simpler lunch menu in more informal surrounds. The modest little terrace is a secret pleasure, screened from the street by a dark monolith down which a sheet of water dribbles softly.

Overall Diner Rating

7.5
Food & Drink
7.6
Service
7.2
Atmosphere
7.7
Value
6.9

Based on 10 ratings. Rate it!

Customer Reviews

Been to this restaurant? Write a comment

Write Your Review
  • 1Win fab prizes with free monthly prize draws!
  • 2See your views in print.
  • 3Collect your thoughts in one place.
  • 4Be rewarded with an Editor's Pick.
  • 5Rate restaurants and share your views.
 
  1. Max F.

    ( 30s, Male, United Kingdom )

    The fairly positive reviews encouraged us to try it on a Thursday evening but it's disappointing. Very little atmosphere, harried and aloof staff, small portions of food and seriously high pricing. Didn't impress us or our guest.

    • Overall: 3
    • Food & Drink: 4
    • Service: 3
    • Atmosphere: 3
    • Value: 2
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  2. Susie S.

    ( 40s, Female )

    Came here for drinks in the bar and ended up staying for dinner as it was such a nice place to be! Enjoyed the most spanking fresh monkfish and broccoli, with some very good wine. The upstairs round bar area is particularly nice, with its view down Gutter Lane. A great place for a post-work dinner.

    • Overall: 9
    • Food & Drink: 9
    • Service: 9
    • Atmosphere: 9
    • Value: 8
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  3. David T.
    Reviews: 1

    ( 30s, Male, London )

    Overpriced and over confident. £23.75 for ‘grilled leg of lamb’ which was actually 6 small pieces on a bed of peas and broad beans was not good lunch value. Also, when calling to confirm the booking I asked to move the reservation for two from 1pm to 12.30 but was told they were ‘absolutely completely booked’ – of course, the room was about 1/3 full during our sitting. And when waiting at the bar downstairs for my colleague to arrive, I sat there for ten minutes without anyone offering to take my drink order. I heard this restaurant had some coverage on Masterchef – perhaps its all gone to their head.

    • Overall: 5
    • Food & Drink: 5
    • Service: 4
    • Atmosphere: 5
    • Value: 4
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  4. Alice R.
    Silver Reviewer

    ( 30s, Female, London )

    I used Manicomio this year for our AGM and we were so pleased with our choice, we booked for 40 and everything went to plan, amazing service, amazing food and drink and what a great building. Our guests were from the US and EU and each one thanked us for a great meal.
    Jason the manager looked after us from start to finish and every wish was catered for, I would recommend this for hiring our part or the whole building or just a dinner for two, the name Gutter Lane also gave us a giggle, but it is far from in the name it is based in! Go try it, you will be so pleased you did.
    We had a bean and meat salad to start, black faced lamb for mains, and icecream and berries for dessert plus lots of wine which really complemented the meal.

    • Overall: 10
    • Food & Drink: 10
    • Service: 10
    • Atmosphere: 10
    • Value: 10
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  5. Richard M.
    Reviews: 1

    ( 40s, Male, United Kingdom )

    As a restaurant booker for a number of partners and fee earners, Manicomio is consistently rated as the place to take clients because of the quality of service and food. It is reliably good which means you can trust this restaurant to make a good impression when you need it to.

    • Overall: 9
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 8
    • Atmosphere: 9
    • Value: 8
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  6. MD
    Gold Reviewer

    ( 20s, Female, London )

    As you approach the very square and sleek jet black building at the end of Gutter lane, you can't help but think what lies inside has got to be something special. After all, you have three attempts to enjoy the contents of the building with a ground floor brasserie, first floor main restuarant and top floor cocktail bar.

    The occasion was a business lunch with a group of eight so impressions were important, including mine. Service started and ended with genuine smiles of chesire cat proportions from our waiter and his colleague who also pitched in and it's good to see good old upselling (especially the special of the day) being a golden rule here.

    Food was remarkably well cooked and presented with a mix of authentic Italian influence and modern inspiration, which creates a rich synergy between both the architecture and food. The seabream tartare and array of fresh vegetables was a delightful starter and did an excellent job of wetting the appetite without quite over filling it. For the main I opted for the special of the day along with a fellow diner – cod with crushed potatoes and garlic parsley sauce, with some spinach thrown in for good measure. My initial worry was that the fillet though beautifully cooked, was slightly on the small side but after getting through a few tender and succulent morsels I realised it was just the right size (typical case of eyes being bigger than the stomach).

    Though almost full to the brim it would have been a huge injustice to ignore the tempting dishes on the dessert menu – there is something for everyone here. My favourite, a light but perfectly formed passionfruit and apricot cheesecake. The perfect sweet ending to the meal. Seems an all rounder, perfect for power breakfasts, business lunches and relaxed dinners. A must see.

    • Overall: 9
    • Food & Drink: 9
    • Service: 9
    • Atmosphere: 9
    • Value: 9
    2 of 2 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
     
  7. Dermot W.

    ( 50s, Male, United Kingdom )

    Light & airy venue but heavyweight prices e.g. £28 for a monkfish & prawn kebab with some rocket – add some potatoes & vegetables & you're looking at close to £40 for an OK but not exceptional main course. Somewhat restricted menu.

    • Overall: 5
    • Food & Drink: 6
    • Service: 6
    • Atmosphere: 7
    • Value: 3
    Was it helpful to you?
     
  8. Simon P.

    ( Male, Lloyds TSB )

    Great place for lunch, either downstairs in the bar area or, more formally, upstairs in te bright restaurant. There is also another floor above with a further bar where you can enjoy a few drinks or cocktails midday or evening. Really high quality Italian dishes and delicious cold cuts served in an appetising way. There is always a really lively atmosphere and teh service is generally very good.

    • Overall: 8
    • Food & Drink: 8
    • Service: 7
    • Atmosphere: 8
    • Value: 8
    1 of 1 people found this review helpful. Was it helpful to you?
     
Back to Top
 

Got a blog?

Add your blog review of Manicomio to Square Meal

Win fab prizes • Attract traffic to your blog • Add prestige to your blog Find out how

    Please do not change this field Please do not change this field Please do not change this field

    Essential Details for Manicomio

    Manicomio is included in the following Square Meal Selections

    Location of Manicomio

    Customer Reviews

    Been to this restaurant? Write a comment

    Write Your Review
    • 1Win fab prizes with free monthly prize draws!
    • 2See your views in print.
    • 3Collect your thoughts in one place.
    • 4Be rewarded with an Editor's Pick.
    • 5Rate restaurants and share your views.

    Showing 5 of 8 Reviews

    View all Manicomio reviews

    1. Max F.

      Max F. ( 30s, Male, United Kingdom )

      15 November 2011

      The fairly positive reviews encouraged us to try it on a Thursday evening but it's disappointing. Very little atmosphere, harried and aloof staff, small portions of food and seriously high pricing. Didn't impress us or our guest.

      • Overall: 3
      • Food & Drink: 4
      • Service: 3
      • Atmosphere: 3
      • Value: 2
      Was it helpful to you?
       
    2. Susie S.

      Susie S. ( 40s, Female )

      September 2010

      Came here for drinks in the bar and ended up staying for dinner as it was such a nice place to be! Enjoyed the most spanking fresh monkfish and broccoli, with some very good wine. The upstairs round bar area is particularly nice, with its view down Gutter Lane. A great place for a post-work dinner.

      • Overall: 9
      • Food & Drink: 9
      • Service: 9
      • Atmosphere: 9
      • Value: 8
      Was it helpful to you?
       
    3. David T.
      Reviews: 1

      David T. ( 30s, Male, London )

      August 2010

      Overpriced and over confident. £23.75 for ‘grilled leg of lamb’ which was actually 6 small pieces on a bed of peas and broad beans was not good lunch value. Also, when calling to confirm the booking I asked to move the reservation for two from 1pm to 12.30 but was told they were ‘absolutely completely booked’ – of course, the… More

      • Overall: 5
      • Food & Drink: 5
      • Service: 4
      • Atmosphere: 5
      • Value: 4
      Was it helpful to you?
       
    4. Alice R.
      Silver Reviewer

      Alice R. ( 30s, Female, London )

      June 2010

      I used Manicomio this year for our AGM and we were so pleased with our choice, we booked for 40 and everything went to plan, amazing service, amazing food and drink and what a great building. Our guests were from the US and EU and each one thanked us for a great meal.
      Jason the manager looked after us from start to finish and… More

      • Overall: 10
      • Food & Drink: 10
      • Service: 10
      • Atmosphere: 10
      • Value: 10
      Was it helpful to you?
       
    5. Richard M.
      Reviews: 1

      Richard M. ( 40s, Male, United Kingdom )

      February 2010

      As a restaurant booker for a number of partners and fee earners, Manicomio is consistently rated as the place to take clients because of the quality of service and food. It is reliably good which means you can trust this restaurant to make a good impression when you need it to.

      • Overall: 9
      • Food & Drink: 8
      • Service: 8
      • Atmosphere: 9
      • Value: 8
      Was it helpful to you?
       
    Advertisement