Comments on: Carluccio’s: This is not a review of an Italian franchise. [Review]

By: Kang L.

Kang L. — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:52:17 +0000

DonVin – No worries mate, well, Carluccios is a chain restaurant afterall, I think some inconsistency is to be expected. In fact, I’ve been to three carluccios in the past years, this one, the one at south kensington and another one in kings road, and at all three, the food does not taste the same. South Ken is the better of the lot. Same holds true for other chain restaurants in London too, and Strada comes to mind. The Earls court one is good, the high st ken one is not bad but the one in embankment is atrocious.

Also I hear the same inconsistencies with Wahaca in Westfield and Covent Garden. Each restaurant is manned by different teams of people, they may be trained to the same standards, but they are unlike fastfood restaurants which have recipes that can be prescribed and be replicated more consistently. Afterall, these are still proper restaurants and each restaurant – I think – have the flexiblity to do things slightly different and cook slightly differently , and are also subject to the skill of the chef, teamwork in the kitchen, experience in the kitchen…etc.

I do like carluccio’s melon sorbets though.

By: DonVin

DonVin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:33:16 +0000

Kang – no, Market Place, West End. Sorry, i did not mean to imply you were being dishonest! Just that I was surprised at this inconsistency.

By: Kang L.

Kang L. — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:25:22 +0000

DonVin – Was it at the same branch at Terminal 5 at Heathrow? Maybe the T5 staff prefer to have their pasta sprinkled with parmesan? In anycase, my dish came sprinkled with parmesan cheese on top, as I have pointed out in my review. Furthermore I also pointed out that I thought the seafood it was served with was fresh and only that the pasta was a little undercooked. Not quite al dente. If somehow what I said had offended you then I apologise. Please understand that I am merely offering my opinion on my meal. Both what I felt were the plusses and negatives.

Thank you for agreeing on the two other points.

By: DonVin

DonVin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 16:13:14 +0000

That is odd as I had the same dish at lunch today, no parmesan in sight and was not offered any, as should be the case.

Fair enough on the other two points you make.

By: Kang L.

Kang L. — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:27:48 +0000

DonVin – Let’s get one thing straight: The seafood pasta came sprinkled with grated parmesan by the restaurant, not by me. Secondly this review is not definitive, it is merely a record of my experience at the restuarant, some people may like Carluccios, some may not, to each his own. Thirdly, if you don’t appreciate my reviews, please don’t read them, nobody is forcing you to do so.

By: DonVin

DonVin — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 15:14:51 +0000

I would suggest that anyone who puts parmesan on a seafood pasta should not be reviewing a restuarant in the first place!

I find Carluccios is one of the few chains where you can be sure they will not serve overcooked pasta with sauces full of sugar and salt. Well priced too.

By: sunyoung

sunyoung — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 08:04:50 +0000

I have been to Carluccios near barbican once. my friend and I had salad with some clam and a basket of bread. the place was very crowded and my friend told me that its a quite popular place (franchise, I guess)..but well, salad was no better than expected, even though the bread basket was okayable…
I am still interested in this place as it was much more crowded than the quality of food. ..whats the secret behind?

By: London Chow

London Chow — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:34:04 +0000

Been there a couple of times. I find their ‘winter promotions’ quite good value. It’s not exactly a place that you’ll go for fine dining but if you’re not looking to spend much beyond £10, it’s definitely worth considering.

@Toast Lover, will try Plane Food during my next flight out of Heathrow.

Cheers,
C K

By: canelvr

canelvr — Sat, 28 Feb 2009 23:03:21 +0000

Can I please add poor service to your list of complaints about Carluccio’s at T5? Guys this is airport, people have planes to catch, so don’t leave me hanging when I’ve asked you not once but twice for the bill. They sure came running when we went to walk out…

By: American in London

American in London — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 10:58:58 +0000

Fun rant to read, Kang.
In defense of T5, I am a big fan of the number of nice, clean loos everywhere. (Such an American comment, I know).
Also, while proper restaurants are few on the ground (I do point out Plane Food, as Toast Lover did), I try to minimize the amount of time I’m at the airport, so generally don’t arrive long enough before a flight to have a meal.
The food court isn’t bad, though. I’ve grabbed many an Itsu/Pret/EAT snack there.
Overall, I’ll take T5′s quiet, high-ceilinged sleekness any day over the noise and endless corridors of T4.
As for Carluccio’s – those of us trapped in Canary Wharf during the day appreciate their pastas for a decent, inexpensive “sit down” lunch. They’re buttery as all hell, but usually reliable.