manteca
London
Recenzje
We visited Manteca recently and came away with fairly mixed feelings. The restaurant itself is undeniably attractive – the open kitchen and counter seating create a lively atmosphere, and there was a real buzz about the place throughout the evening. It’s the sort of restaurant that immediately feels like somewhere you want to spend a couple of hours. The food, however, didn’t quite live up to the expectation or the price point. We tried several pasta dishes, including the beef ragù, and while everything was perfectly enjoyable and clearly well made, nothing really stood out as particularly memorable. The beef ragù, for example, was tasty and comforting, but not something I’d rush back for or consider especially good value given the cost. Unfortunately, the service was where the evening started to unravel. Our waiter himself was friendly and attentive, but there were some significant issues with the overall service. Despite having a reservation, we were left waiting around 15 minutes before being seated. We also ordered wine which didn’t arrive for over half an hour, despite us asking about it several times. The biggest frustration came when one person’s main course simply didn’t arrive with the rest of the table’s food. We were assured it would be “very soon”, but it eventually appeared around 15 minutes later, by which point most of us had already finished eating. It was disappointing and put a bit of a dampener on the meal. Overall, Manteca has a great atmosphere and serves good food, but based on our experience, the prices set expectations that the food and service didn’t quite manage to meet. I’m glad we tried it, but I’m not sure we’d be rushing back.
Sadly, our experience was quite underwhelming overall. The restaurant itself is beautiful and very cosy. It’s a large space, but the layout makes it feel intimate, so it would work well both for couples and bigger groups. The focaccia and ricotta we had to start were excellent and easily the highlight of the meal. Unfortunately, the rest didn’t quite live up to that first impression, especially given the price. The vodka pasta was cooked perfectly in terms of texture, but the sauce felt a little dry. The plaice was nicely prepared, but there wasn’t much to it - very little flesh on the bone, so it didn’t feel particularly satisfying. We also ordered the beans and salad as sides. Both were fine, but the salad felt especially poor value at £7, as it was essentially a very small bowl of leaves. What really affected the experience was the timing of our booking. We were able to book a table for 14:45, despite the restaurant closing at 15:00. As a result, we felt rushed to order, and while we were still eating, the staff had already started cleaning up around us. Everyone was polite, but it made the meal feel awkward and took away from the atmosphere. I don’t think bookings should be offered so close to closing time, as it really impacted what could otherwise have been a much nicer experience.
Wow!! What an amazing meal! Our server was so kind and attentive, came early in the evening and the vibes were great. The focaccia with any of the starter meats is a must - absolutely phenomenal, one of my best bites I’ve had in London. We got two of the pastas and they were both delicious. The portions aren’t too large, but we found it filling and worth it for the great overall experience. Would come again in a heartbeat!!
We had a good experience at Manteca. The atmosphere was lively and the restaurant was completely full when we arrived, which already gave a great impression of its popularity. Because of this, we definitely recommend booking a table in advance to avoid disappointment. If possible, try to get a table on the main floor, ideally near the bar. Sitting there allows you to watch the chefs preparing the dishes. The concept is based on sharing plates, which we really enjoyed as it lets you try a variety of flavors. The food overall was excellent, and everything we ordered was well-executed. One standout dish for us was the mushroom pasta, it was absolutely delicious and something we would highly recommend. They also have a good selection of cocktails, which complemented the meal nicely. The service was fast and efficient, even though the restaurant was busy, which we appreciated.
5 stars Really enjoyed our meal at Manteca in London. The space is great, service was excellent, and the food was outstanding overall. We ordered the focaccia with homemade ricotta: absolutely delicious and a perfect starter. Then moved on to the pasta and fish dishes, and everything was cooked beautifully with fantastic flavours. Every bite hit the spot. Great atmosphere, attentive staff, and top-quality Italian-inspired food. Highly recommend if you’re in the area… we’ll definitely be back!
