Il Giardino - Kensington and Chelsea

I had a wonderful Italian meal with my family on Friday, the 25th. Even though the restaurant didn't look very impressive from the outside and wasn't in the best location, the food and service were fantastic. We started with shrimp, meatballs, and cheese parcels. For mains, we had spaghetti with mussels, chicken, mushroom tagliatelle, and calzone. We enjoyed a delicious Chianti wine with our meal, and the service was friendly and efficient. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting. I regret forgetting to take photos of the food!

My experience at Il Giardino in Chelsea last weekend was extremely disappointing. From the moment we arrived, everything seemed to be off. The menu was lacking in options and one of our group struggled to find something they liked. The cooking was subpar, with inconsistencies in portion sizes and even raw scallops on a skewer. Side orders never made it to our table and the Champagne was served in less-than-appealing glasses. The service was also lacking, with long waits for dessert orders and a lack of attention from the staff. The toilets were in a terrible state, with broken and leaking facilities. Overall, the experience was far from what we expected and we were shocked by the bill, which included a service charge that we refused to pay. We could have dined somewhere much more memorable for the same price.

I believe this restaurant is definitely one of the top Italian restaurants in London. The food is absolutely delicious and the service is exceptional. The pasta and sauces are amazing. I highly recommend it.