I’ve just seen Gerado’s response to previous comments and wanted to add something of my own to it. In August I wanted to fit around thirty of my friends into Santa Maria, which is not a large restaurant, so I booked up four or five tables for various time slots, all around the 6pm mark. I then went in and spoke to a very helpful man, who I remember now was called Gerardo, and explained that although it would be very inconvenient for them I hoped that they might be able to accommodate my friends and I all together, at the same time. Despite our bookings initially being spread all over the restaurant, and my making it clear that we would still take the tables whether or not they were together, Gerardo and his staff went out of their way to accommodate us, and the thirty of us had the most incredible meal I’ve enjoyed in London. We never felt rushed, and I certainly wasn’t made to feel awkward for making such demands of them, and would have been happy enough with the service that even if the food hadn’t been absolutely phenomenal, which it was (no mean feat with over thirty different steaks to be served simultaneously), I still would have had nothing but praise for this restaurant.

Bearing in mind that I only booked my table after the restaurant appeared on the F Word, and that Gerardo knew we would take the tables whether they were together or not, I cannot understand anybody saying that Santa Maria does not care about its customers.

I’ve since been back to the restaurant in a smaller group, and the food and service were exceptional, so I’m going again in a few weeks. Keep up the good work, Santa Maria.