Giovanni's - City of London,Westminster

VERY ANGRY AT BEING CHEATED. Yesterday my partner and I were literally spoilt for choice as to what to eat. Earlier in the week we discussed how we should eat at Giovannni's soon as we had walked past it for years and was sure that this restaurant was a hidden gem.After contemplating Jamie's Italian also in Covent Garden a selection of Chinese and Japanese Restaurants and even going as far as Old Street for a Red Dog Saloon Burger bar we opted for Giovanni's after recalling our earlier conversation.When we first arrived the waiter seemed young and inexperienced and when we asked for a table for two in this restaurant where of the tables were free he turned to the owner for an answer. The owner was very keen but this lead me to ask if we were really welcome.Anyway with that aside, we were placed at a table right next to the lift where the food was sent from the kitchen and dirty plates were returned to the kitchen. it was quite disturbing to have my table constantly knocked but again I let that slide.The surroundings was small and the walls were filled with signed pictures of famous actors/celebrities who had eaten there and pictures of the owner with these celebrities. This gave me a comforting feeling especially after reading one comment which said nothing is impossible for you We indicated to our waiter that we were ready to order. minutes later our order was taken.We ordered a starter each and were given slices of Baguette. the quality was not great but I thought that this was OK it was only after, when my partner mentioned it, it was strange to be given French Bread in a Italian restaurant.Nonetheless the food arrived. I ordered chicken soup which had little bits of pasta in it. The soup was OK but some of the tiny bits or pasta were uncooked. My partner ordered the Buffalo Mozzarella. He expected some more bread to be served with it but there was none. The presentation was awful as it was just one big ball of mozzarella and large sliced of tomato with a drizzle of olive oil. The Mozzeralla was not even sliced. For it was disappointing as I had received better presentation of the same dish at Bella Pasta for a fraction of the price.Our mains arrived and I had the Carbonara alla The Hoff which I understand came highly recommended by David Haslehoff who also had a few pictures on the wall. My partner ordered what looked like two meat sausages and a selection of vegetables. We expected it to be zucchini or some other green veg. I asked the waiter if it was enough to share and he said no as the portions were quite small. so i ordered some with my dish. When the veg arrived they were English veg, boiled potatoes carrots and broccoli. It totally did not go with my meal . I mean who orders potatoes AND pasta together in one meal? I was embarrassed and annoyed that the waiter did not advise me that the vegetables were not suitable for my main.At a plate I expected my carbonara to be better than the Spaghetti carbonara sold at Tesco for It was not. The Spaghetti was cold, there was no carbonara Sauce AT ALL and the pancetta was inedible. I asked for Parmesan Cheese to lend some taste and flavour to the pasta but the parmesan could not melt and it just sat on top of the pasta as the food was that cold.My partners main was so small it looked like sausages covered in Passata. even after the selection of boiled veg he was still hungry after our meal. I however was full up but very close to throwing up as the pancetta made me feel queasy.My partner said that the bill came to an average tasting bottle of wine for and a bottle of mineral water and I remember clearly that the menu said service not included When my partner presented his card the owner took the card away and then came back with the card in the machine. My partner typed in his pin number and was given the usual receipt. it was only we got home did he realise that the receipt had charged him an additional which I assume must have been the tip he took without asking. That in my book is stealing especially as the service was not included and we were not asked at any time if we wished to leave a tip. We were not given the itemised receipt so there is of course no way of proving this. I am not usually one to complain at restaurants as I hate to make a scene. NEVER AGAIN. I will never allow myself to be ripped off like that again. From the poor, slow service, the terrible table, the cold, pasta, small portions, the unhelpful waiter to the enforced service charge I WILL ADVISE YOU NEVER TO STEP FOOT IN THIS CROOK'S DEN!!!. We learned a very valuable lesson yesterday, never eat anywhere without checking the reviews first.

I loved the location and the atmosphere. service was great. we were a big group. I would definitely recommend the branzino, the fattyina as well as a tiramisu as pornstar.

I didn't make it. Yesterday, my partner and I were literally spoiled for the choice of what to eat. Previously in the week we discussed how we should eat in giovannni as soon as we passed over years and was sure that this restaurant was a hidden gem. After we have also looked at a selection of Chinese and Japanese restaurants in the covent garden and even went to the old street for a red dog saloon burger bar, we decided after our earlier talk for giovanni. when we first arrived, the waiter seemed young and inexperienced and when we asked for a table for two in this restaurant, where 3/4 of the tables were free, he turned to the owner for a...read more

The biggest demolition in the city. I came to this restaurant a few years ago and loved it. I went tonight and came with this falling, angry feeling to have been taken for an absolute fool. it is astronically badly worth the definition of a demolition. not only the lateral dishes are noticeably expensive £4.50 for a distort of sweet; £5.50 for a microscopic fruit salad, but the main dishes are also very and bad quality. £16.50 for a plate that contains nothing but two bands of hard fish so thin, you could hardly taste them. £15.50 for the then special a tiny teller with nothing but a single grilled garnish, a few white babies and a tiny selection of fish that...read more

The day I discovered this lovely place, it immediately became a favourite. It has remained a secret address, only for connoisseurs. Well designed, this is the magical Italian food that is worth the detour. Far from being a case of style over substance, the food is good and unfussy. While buzzing among Londoners; the restaurant still manages to retain an intimate vibe perfect for special evenings. Read more reviews here: http: trendyguide.wordpress.com