Como Lario

"Return visit after a decade?'

It was after an afternoon of discussion and chat over difficult personal circumstances that the evening quickly drew close, and so one ventured towards the Sloane Square where there are many choices for a light dinner. However long though it had been, and it has been well over 10 years, the thought of revisiting Como Lario just off the square for some grilled vegetables and other Italian antipasti sounded like a good idea.

Drawing up towards the entrance one is met with the bustle of a typical Italian restaurant which is cosy and well decked out in a traditional feel, and with single but perfectly blossomed champagne roses on each table. The waiters are very cheerful, and some song and dance one would imagine could even be quite possible later on in the proceedings.

We did stick to our intended plan and had grilled vegetables but also some spinach on the side accompanied by the house white and some San Benedicta fizzy mineral water. Its still a delight to sit in a more period feel restaurant, with the comforts of cushions and warm ambience. One is actually reminded on the contrary, how overly contemporary and bland or even cold, modern restaurants can be in their strivings for a clean decor. Anyway perhaps one was filled with some nostalgia having not been here for over a decade, to start reminiscing about the warmth of the restaurant.

It was a light and short meal which was also sweet. Other clientele seemed to be often international and even American, and of friends dining, even parents with their son (who we overheard was complaining how his investment acumen and track record had not been appreciated by the greater good), and other larger groups of family and friends. Congenial enough and certainly a comforting environment, especially after the afternoon that had just gone by.

All in all and although one had not had the whole hog of a meal as it were, the impression was that Como L still delivers what it did so many years ago.

I recently went to this restaurant 14/12/10 for dinner with 3 friends, we had not booked, so enquired if they had a table available and were told they did, but it was downstairs, which was fine.

We were pleasantly surprised by the small dining room and bar. Once we had settled in a bread basket was provided – which consisted of three pieces of white bread and three pieces of very small brown bread which was not freshly cut and was therefore a little hard.

We ordered a bottle of water, a bottle of white and bottle of red wine – it has to be said that although there was a selection, the actual quality of the wine offered was not great. The grumpy waiter just wanted to fill all the glasses up to the brim and get us to order more…which was somewhat annoying to be hurryed along!

As far as the atmosphere was concerned all we could hear was a intermittent voice over a loud walkie talkie, which made us feel like we were sat in a mini cab office!

The food ordered was all pretty average. Starter dishes ordered included Deep Fried Mozzarella – not fresh, Pasta with ragu – light on the ragu sauce, and the special smoked cheese, which was ok, but the tomatoes tasted like they had been around for a while.

The Main courses were not much better, Veal in a lemon sauce, which was vile, and a pasta in a tasteless tomato sauce. Side dishes of Spinach, Potatoes and Zucchini Fritte where pretty average.

Two deserts were ordered and tasted like they were not prepared or made on site. Tiramisu and a chocolate cake. Any decent Italian chef would be ashamed to offer such horrors on their menu.

We asked for the bill, which genuinely took an age to come – we had to ask three times. Once we received it we complained about all of the above and were told that the bill was the bill, so no allowance would be made.

Clearly the owner of this restaurant rarely attends it, and never eats there.

For reference, we dine at Ricardo's on the Fulham Rd, Scalini and Ziani al which vary in price but do offer a much better experience, which would not be difficult.

Our bill, without service was 190.00!

Not to be recommended to your worst enemy and will never be visited by us again.

This ridiculous restaurant is an absolute disgrace and is positively the worst dining experience I have had in a very long time, we must have been desperately hungry last evening! At least they are consistent – its been a below average restaurant for a very long time!!

Rude, unskilled and truly incompetent staff and management provides appalling service for diners, this, coupled with bland, badly prepared and presented food in worn out, filthy surroundings does not represent a good night out, its all rather like a scene from Fawlty Towers!

Most of the dishes were ‘off’ last evening, no lobsters or artichokes, although it was early in the evening and they were on the ‘specials’ menu. The ‘seasonal fruits’ offered were strawberries – hardly seasonal in the UK – its December!! The pasta was slimey and tasteless.

The only thing Como Lario are expert in is over-charging and refuelling wine and water glasses to drive up the bill, the chef clearly can not cook, the waiting staff can't wait and the manager possesses no social or restaurant management skills.

Como Lario is a joke with unfunny prices, its certainly not a proper restaurant if you appreciate fine dining, so don't waste your time if you are looking for authentic italian food and atmosphere as both are ‘off’ the menu!! It deserves to be out of business.

I wouldn't feed this food to my dog.