Cecconi's

Took people there for Sunday breakfast today. Good atmosphere, great location, well decked-out, good value. BUT 1. Dirty Crockery, 2. Terribly weak caffetiere coffee – depite sending back the first, the second came as anaemic as any American might want. 3. Service typical of a chain – no one there who cared about what impression the customer might walk away with. Receptionists chatting among themselves, while people waited for them to turn their gaze towards the customer; servers who did not listen (to the request for coffee brewed strong) and who did not check the crockery they brought to the table for cleanliness… COME ON SOHO HOUSE ! YOU KNOW ABOUT HOSPITALITY, GET YOUR HiT SQUAD IN NOW !!!

After considering a lot of Italian restaurants for our anniversary dinner, I chose this one. It is on the top italian restaurants in London list and the menu looked good. I ca'nt really fault the service but for the price you pay, the food is simply average. The veal cannelloni could have been straight from Pizza Express. Nothing wow about it at all.

Also, when I booked, I advised the restaurant that it was our wedding anniversary on the day and that a nice table would be great and anything else they could do. When the restaurant phoned me on the morning to confirm, I repeated that again and they said it was noted. Nobody mentioned anything when we were at the restaurant, we received a standard table next to the window (not the soft seating on the other side of the restaurant) and it was just like any other night. Even chain restaurants make a bit of effort!

Very disappointing – will not be going there again.

I utterly adore, ADORE, Cecconi's, but you need to make sure you choose it for the right occasion.

Want to eat out in a gaggle of chums and roar with laughter? Head to Cecconi's!

Want to take your new paramour for a quiet romantic meal – well – I wouldn't really recommend it…

The room is one of the busiest and loudest dining rooms in this cooking standard – and this all adds to the atmosphere. Since they smoking ban came in, I love it even more (it was always full of smokers). I've always found the service to be prompt – if not super-prompt. Unfortunately my beloved lobster salad has finally been removed from the menu, but fortunately the courgette's remain. Even if you don't like courgettes, please do order some – this is the best way to eat them, and is how they serve them in Sheekey's too.

Cecconi's is fantastic fun. My only caution is that it can be *very* loud. We once took a chum who can't speak very loudly as the result of an accident – it was incredibly difficult to hear him. I shouldn't think this applies to many diners, but it's just a note of caution.

Always wear heels to Cecconi's. It's just another way to soak up the feeling that somehow upon entering you are thin, tall, wealthy and cultured. Of course, many people there will actually fit that description. The lighting and a few drinks ensure you look gorgeous, which is good because everyone is looking (though you're looking back). Leave enough time before your reservation to enjoy a cocktail at the bar, where you can whisper with your friends about if the inappropriately young lady at someone's table is a little sister… or an escort. Food is fresh and delicious, waiters are Italian and handsome. Order three courses to make dinner last as long as possible, especially if you are seated on one of the velvet ensconsed booths. Don't take yourself too seriously, relax and enjoy the ambiance. It's a pretty penny but worth every one.

Food is fresh however a little slightly on the bland side. buzzy atmosphere, but service can be a little slow.

I am officially once again a fan of Cecconis. I came here a couple of months ago and had a rare disappointing experience when dining with a group of friends, my fish was rather bland and the vegetables were not hot enough. However, after being invited here for lunch with a friend a week ago I decided to try it again and I am pleased to say I am once again charmed.

I had the delicious bresaola to start and the pan fried halibut was sublime. This was accompanied by the predictable but always great, glass of Gavi. My friend was raving about his spaghetti lobster so much so I think this shall be my next pick too! Although having said that, the pappardelle with wild boar ragu that the gentleman on the next table ordered also looked wonderful…decisions, decisions…

Cecconis has a wonderful atmosphere and it is a great place to people watch and drink wine chatting as you while away an afternoon or evening. The crowd is varied and it doesn't feel pretentious in any way. The staff are friendly, attentive and always helpful.

Overall a great place for lunch or dinner. I have also heard it does a fabulous breakfast too!

Aah Cecconi's… what is the spell you cast on us all? Is it the lively atmosphere no matter what time of day? Is it the all time best people watching bar ever? Is it the sublime home made bread basket? Is it the beautiful chicetti selection? Is it the perfect pasta dishes? Is it being able to linger over a long leisurely Sunday lunch, or is it just something as simple as sitting at the bar with a glass of draught Prosecco, sharing a plate of wafer thin parma ham and parmesan chunks?

Whatever it is, we are drawn back time after time after time, if a restaurant was a drug Cecconis would be it. There is just nowhere that has managed to retain high standards of food and service, and allowing people to have a bit of fun at the same time.

I love this place. I go with my friends all the time

Serving fine Italian food from first thing in the morning until the early hours, Cecconi’s is an excellent lunch spot to break up a day’s shopping on nearby Bond Street. Cecconi’s is fun and glamorous, with a real buzz about the place – and Prosecco on tap is never a bad thing.

Beyond Caring?

In a recent review in the Saturday Times, Giles Coren wrote how he has been trying to find a fault in Richard Caring and Nick Jones’s hospitality empire. Coren found it through over salted dumplings at one of their latest ventures, Dean Street Townhouse. Despite the fact that everywhere I seem to dine out or drink these days is owned by these two doyennes of the hospitality industry, I have still yet to find a downfall. Cecconi’s is no exception!

I have lost count the number of times that I have been to Cecconi’s, but I still have a desire to return over and over. Located behind the Royal Academy of Arts and next to that US clothes store that models half naked door men, Cecconi's been on the Mayfair food circuit for a number of years and was re launched by Nick Jones back in 2005. Despite what many say, Cecconi’s was the first London restaurant to offer the all day dining experience. This classy Italian somehow manages to transform itself from sophisticated breakfast venue in the morning to swanky Mayfair Italian in the evening. Nevertheless, one can walk in at any time of the day or night and take a pew at the large white marble bar and sip away at on the tap prosecco, now seen at every one of Caring / Jones venture, and sample the cichetti on offer.

Breakfast has a boutique hotel atmosphere about it, dominated by the hedge fund amd financial early risers over their power beakfasts who prefer the quieter surroundings than those experienced at The Wolseley but by mid morning it has a scattering of fashionistas sipping on their soya lattes. A full English with an Italian twist, eggs Benedict and porridge can all be chosen from the breakfast menu, which is available until midday on weekdays.

The lunch and dinner menu is where the real Italian fanfare comes in with beef carpaccio, lobster spaghetti, fresh truffle pasta and veal Milanese as just a few of the highlights on the menu. Cichetti is a house special, with the likes of quail eggs, Umbrian sausage, bruschetta…and if the choice is too hard just settle for the house selection.

The wine list, as expected and should be the case, is made up of powerful Brunello’s and Barolo’s but lighter wines such as Gavi di Gavi are there to cater for the lady PR executives and wedding planners and house white and red can be purchased for £18 a bottle, catering to all budgets.

Service is friendly and efficient. Giacomo Maccioni, the general manager, is a true professional and always gives the warmest welcome. The only downfall at Cecconi’s is the fact that you keep returning and never venture to other restaurants. To be fair though, wherever you are likely to venture, it is most likely to be owned by these two anyway.

What a great place…walked past it for many years and never went in until about 2 years ago… fantastic for breakfast, great to have a drink at the bar, brilliant for lunch and amazing for dinner…I only wish it was bigger as getting a table is getting to be problematic…

Cecconis's is definitely one of the most glamorous London restaurants about. But the a la carte menu can be hit and miss, and sitting in the restaurant can sometimes mean a less-than-good table. The best way to do Cecconi's is to grab a couple of seats at the bar, on the left hand side near the Italian tapas and spend an afternoon/evening drinking draught prosecco and snacking on Italian ciccetti (small plates like tapas). That way you get a great view of the restaurant for people-watching, and constant service. They will also bring magnificent platters of meats and cheeses, but find out the price before ordering them, unless you want a heart attack.

Cecconi's is simply put an all round winner for friends, family, business and romance . It's principal selling point being its vibrant buzz and an interior that breathes 50% nineties wow and 50% modern Italian which leaves you with a sense that it's something special as soon as you walk in. This is designer dining darling, with dishes as sharp as an Armani suit and a crowd that looks like they should be acknowledged even if it is for some obscure achievement, a celebrity, London socialite or general bigwig.

My only concern was whether the food and service were up to scratch but one look at the menu (and the model like waiter with manners included) made it clear they certainly were. We opted for a few of the cichetti dishes to share – sort of Italian tapas – with gorgeously cooked ricotta filled courgette flowers, succulent grilled scallops, fresh quails eggs and firm asparagus. smaller mains filled with Italian essence went on to fill the stomach with glee but still leave space for an ample -and dare I say it – orgasmic tiramisu to share. Wine list as expected leans towards the Italian geography but with plenty of choice, the Gavi is particularly good.

A pleasurable and luxe dining experience in the hear tof Mayfair, a voyeur's dream and the food's not bad either…what else do you need. Definitely will be back for more.

Monday lunchtime was rather vibrant with quite a cross-section of society soaking up the atmosphere. We were offered, and accepted seats at the bar rather than waiting an hour for a table. Enjoyed the whole experience including comforting bowls of pasta served by characterful staff. Plus we didn’t go away with a big hole in the wallet.

Cecconis is my regular restaurant for big breakfasts. They are one of the only restaurants I could find who didn't bat an eyelid when I wanted to book breakfast for 8-10 people.

The service is charming and the complimentary fresh orange/grapefruit juice is a lovely touch. Very reasonably priced for breakfast as well.

It's a lovely, glamourous room that never feels too stuffy or formal.

Italian comfort food with some interesting small plates but go for the ambience and ‘people watching’ as well as the pasta. Also went for lunch on the weekend with our son and sat on the banquette…staff were great and accommodated an off menu request for our youngest. Also good for a breakfast meeting and a coffee at the bar counter. Good value if you choose ‘wisely’.

A chic and stylish venue. Great vibe, good food and a fun night out.

Like The Ivy but Italian. One of the few places in London where eating at the bar is as good an experience as eating at the table. The waiting staff are enthusiastic but not always on top of things. A bit cramped near the entrance, you definitely don't want to have the first table on the right. Food is good, particularly the veal Milanese which would comfortably feed two. All the pasta dishes are tremendous and the starter-size portion would satisfy most appetites if you were having two or three courses. Clientele is well heeled and by and large on the mature side. Wine list clearly majors on Italy, but not exclusively, and there is value to be found, plus Prosecco on tap!