Cipriani

Cipriani did not disappoint. It has an incredible amount of ‘charisma’ and young or old, you won’t fail to be pulled in to the buzzy atmosphere. This is not to say you won’t be able to enjoy your meal however, just that there is plenty going on around you at all times in what amounts to one very slick operation. Cooking is high quality yet simple and unrepentantly stiffly priced , making a visit here a genuine treat.

Cipriani seems to have a little of a Schizophrenic reputation – I know people who love it and people who hate it. Strangely enough the people I know who hate it do seem to go back quite frequently, one friend describes it like a bad boyfriend – she may be treated appallingly at times but she keeps going back. Personally I like it and always have, the food while not being overly gastronomic does the trick well. Service wise I've had off occasions but generally it's ok. Although for the money I spend I should expect perfection every time I go, I always leave with a smile on my face. At the end of the day it's not for everyone – If I want excellent gourmet cuisine I'd go elsewhere – If I want decent food and an amazing, electric atmosphere I go to Cipriani (as long as I don't have to sit in the back!)

I have been to Cipriani many times, most times it was bad, once it was ok. The reason I kept going back was mainly because of other people's curiosity or invitations which I could not refuse. I would describe the food as lazily prepared (some pasta dishes look & taste like they have been pre-cooked and later microwaved), sloppily served and ridiculously overpriced. I don't care if Naomi Campbell is sitting in the same room, I am much more interested as to why the hell my expensive wine has not been decantered and why I am forced to drink it out of cheap small water glasses you might find in a bad pub…Not acceptable!
The meats and fish are mediocre, the pasta incredibly disappointing (although once I had a pappardelle al ragu' dish which was ok and did not taste microwaved), the starters and desserts average and uninteresting. Even the espresso is scandalous, there was no crema on mine and it tasted like starbucks (which means bad). In my opinion the kitchen in Cipriani has no respect for food or their patrons – very unitalian. Most patrons actually seem very pretentious and unknowledgable about food and are much more interested in being seen than eating well. The average patrons age is approximately 94… More

Have been a couple of times and always, I’m afraid, been disappointed. One of those restaurants where it matters where you sit. If you are in the back, it’s like being in a different restaurant and not in a good way. The food is expensive and good if unremarkable. By and large at lunchtime its full of property people, although possibly less so these days. Atmosphere is lively if you are in the main room.