Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Disappointing restaurant experiences
I've been encouraged by more alternatives to fast food and Turkish opening around here but, unfortunately, was disappointed by The Prince (Bounds Green Road) - noisy, only one age group and v limited pop up menu - and Passione and Traditzione (West Green Road). We thought our pasta dishes were very good, albeit small portions, but the waiter (the only one on the floor, it seemed) was surly, service was slow and whoever heard of a restaurant not serving bread? Only garlic bread at £3.99 was on the menu and if you only want a small amount of plain bread you'd have thought a place making pizza would be able to conjure that up, but no. He was adamant they couldn't do it. Will probably go again at some point but very put off in the first 10 minutes by the lack of flexibility on bread and the waiter's unwelcoming manner. What experiences have others had there?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Joe on
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I've had very good experiences at Passione and Traditzione. Personally I think its a real bonus that they're in the area. I go a lot and I'd be hard pushed to get better pasta or pizza anywhere. I think it can be quite damaging for a restaurant posting things like this. The portions are perfect in size in my opinion. And far outstrip anything in the locality in terms of quality. To have a rant about the place based on the fact that they didn't have a slice of bread for you is a bit pernickety.
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To be fair, Joe, I did praise the pasta and this isn't a forum like Tripadvisor. I was just interested in the experience of others who'd been there.
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I think it can be quite damaging for a restaurant posting things like this.
I am Italian. I took some members of my staff to P&T and I was quite disappointed for a confluence of reasons.
1) Portion size as mentioned; 2) Pricing that exceeds Italian restaurants in London where there are high rents(*); 3) the wine was overpriced and nothing special to boot; but above all, 4) I didn't think the pasta was all that great.
(*) I appreciate the price of fresh pasta and pasta asciutta (dried pasta) should differ, but my thought at the time was I'd have preferred Barilla. I have far more enjoyable pasta dishes for a fiver at Alpino in Chapel Market.
But people like it and it is an alternative in the area so I haven't said anything. I only do so now as I don't want Joe to feel alone.
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I don't understand the portion size issue. Have your been brought up in America? Just wondering...because for me (and I like a big portion) it's absolutely enough 100% of the time. The wine also is always the right temperature. I only drink red. I'm surprised people are complaining about such a great Italian restaurant so close to us all. I dunno. I give up
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Permalink Reply by John McMullan on
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There's a place at the top of Lausanne Rd that does bread on Sundays. People come from all over London for it so it must be good.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on
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I don't think I've every been served bread in an Italian restaurant Roslyn. That includes ones in Italy
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I always have! But even if not put out on the tables it could at least be on the menu, as it is in most places..... I would have thought.
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Permalink Reply by kotkas on
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Yougottabekiddingme- it's as common as anything. Not everywhere but certainly more common than not.
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I am Italian.
There is always bread--that's part of what the coperto covers. I have been to most every part of Italy except in the heel and I can't think of anyplace that normally would not give bread. Sometimes they have to be nudged to bring it out.
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Permalink Reply by Quhomesly on
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I've eaten there maybe six or seven times and think the food is very good. If it were transported a few miles south west with added table cloths it would definitely stand up to scrutiny, but be at least twice the price.
I think part of the 'ethos' is that this is good affordable food but without frills. Let's not forget, this was originally a prep kitchen for Anima e Cuore and I think they were persuaded to open fully as a restaurant.
I find a certain chaotic charm with the staff sometimes, they are always friendly and helpful.
The wine list is a steal. and beer £2.80? There's your bread, even if it is in liquid form.
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