Cecconi's

I had been to Cecconi's some time back in November with some family friends of mine who are frequent diners here. I had the crab ravioli, which was to DIE FOR!!! Cheesecake was out of this world! Second time I came with a potential date for the Cheesecake, again, blown away!

Third time I came with my sister and mother for my sister's birthday, and again, I cannot fault Cecconi's at all. The Lobster spaghetti was so delicious, that I could not eat any more and had to take some home. My sister loved her lamb dish and my mother adored her fish dish.

I had recommened this place to a friend of mine, and he keeps going back.

What can I say? Cecconi's, you are the best! I look forward to celebrating my 33rd Birthday at this decadent restaurant!

Bellissima!

If you fancy a spot of informal glamour and are unable to make it over to the likes of Milan, then Cecconi's hits the spot. There is very much a sense of those comfortable with their money here and the people watching is among the best in London. While all this may undoubtedly be true, the reason why people (including this reviewer) keep returning again and again is that it is very hard to fault what Cecconi does. The whole operation is slick and runs both smoothly and effortlessly day and night. Staff are friendly and efficient, swift and attentive. The ability to mix and match from snacks to mains allows for a diverse variety of combinations and one is rarely disappointed. On this occasion, delicate quail eggs were perfectly balanced by a tuna and caper sauce (from the cichetti menu), while crab raviioli to follow was cooked to perfection with the crab finely balanced by fresh tomatoes. My dining comrade enjoyed meatballs (also from the cichetti listings) and a salad, again prepared faultlessly. Importantly, despite the restaurant being busy, we were allowed more than ample to sit and talk at our table once the plates had been cleared away, a very welcome approach in what is justifiably always a busy restaurant.

Bella Italia! Yes, it's true. Your colleague showing off about going to Cecconi's with his wife/girlfriend/client is proabaly not exaggerating. It is quite easy to overspend on Cecconi's lovely menu – and it's wine list for that matter. However, the place oozes with a sense of occaison and the simple understanding that this is a tiny enclave of a top italian restaurant transposed to London. A unbeatable location and a really quite pleasant terrace are futher advantages… Cecconi's fulfills a number of stereotypes, but – and so rarely in London these days – it delivers, and delivers and just when you thought it couldn't improve – it delivered some more. Grazie.

On Thursday 7 June 2012 I hate the lamb papardelle for starters and the veal ossobuco for main course I totally hated it, the lamb was very tough and tasted of old mutton and the ossobuco was again very tough I left everything following this very bad experiance i won't be returning to cecconi's again

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!