Il Baretto

Restaurants

Bistros

43 Blandford Street

Expensive

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Time Out says

Tue Oct 18 2011

Basement spaces can be a difficult proposition for a restaurant designer. A tricksy, awkward room layout, echoing acoustics and austere black and smoked glass fittings all conspire to create a rather gloomy sense of oppression at Il Baretto.

Service too was off-kilter, veering from obsequious to matey, with a constant undertow of upselling: buy bottled water, buy bread, buy wine, buy another starter…

On the other hand, we were perfectly happy with our shared starter, a dazzlingly pretty broad bean and rocket salad topped with razor-thin slices of tart, feisty pecorino cheese. And we wanted to leave space for our primo – beautifully al dente paccheri smothered in a dense ’nduja sauce and grated smoked ricotta, its rustic smokiness setting off to perfection the spiciness of the soft Calabrian sausage and tomato sauce. Grilled lamb chops, piled high and deliciously moist, worked well as a follow-up, particularly when they were teamed with foot-long matchsticks of deep-fried courgettes coated in barely-there batter, and a bowl of delicate, glistening green beans.

Yes, the food is great, but it seems overpriced, and the service and decor are wide of the mark. Il Baretto feels like it’s in danger of becoming an irrelevant haunt for the local ladies who lunch.

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Address:
Il Baretto 43 Blandford Street
London
W1U 7HF

Phone:
020 7486 7340
Website:
www.ilbaretto.co.uk
Opening hours:
Lunch served noon-3pm Mon-Fri; 12.30-4pm Sat, Sun. Dinner served 6-10.30pm Mon-Fri; 6.30-10pm Sat, Sun
Transport:
Tube: Baker Street tube
Price:
Main courses £14.50-£31.50
Map
1. Il Baretto
  - 43 Blandford Street
    London
    W1U 7HF
  - 020 7486 7340
  - www.ilbaretto.co.uk
  - 51.518285,-0.154344

Facilities:
Eating and drinking facilities. Restaurant and bar facilities. Reservations required. Outdoor facilities. Tables outdoors
Occasions:
Business. Drinks. Wine buffs. Going in a group. Romantic

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Comments & ratings

(11 ratings)

“sumptuous and truly authentic Italian food . The menu - which includes pretty much every Italian dish you could think of - offers hearty classic Italian

Elisa Pucci Tue Jan 8
Rated as: 5/5
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Friends booked the table and were given a time slot. The food was practically thrown at us. Portions were tiny and prices very high. The service was very poor and waiters couldn't answer basic questions about the food. Then the manager came and told us we had to vacate the table as our time was up. I certainly wouldn't go there again

daisy12 Fri Nov 2 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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Dissappointing. Average standard arrived on cold plates. Overproiced. Bill came before request and table cleared ''''''we hav people waiting''''''.. Staff unhelpful and unwelcomingfrom the Manager downwards.

Clive L Sun Jul 1 2012
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We were made to wait for 40minutes, weren't offered anything to drink, and when asked for the manager, was told that he would come....he didn't! Food was nice, but nothing special, portions tiny, and prices high. Service terrible. Don't think I'll go again, too many better italians in london.

Amir Tue Jun 26 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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Superb! Spent nearly 2 and a half hours here enjoying the food and atmosphere on Sunday afternoon. Food was brilliant! Wine recommendation was spot on! Yes its not cheap but i'd happily pay the same again to get the same again! Well done. Next time we're in London well be back

Andy Clark Tue Mar 20 2012
Rated as: 5/5
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What a fantastic place to have a dinner with my family Friendly staff and food very good and very Italian. Definitely worth it

Emma Thu Feb 23 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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The most disorganised, rude, unfriendly staff in London. The manager Alex should be replaced ASAP as he is causing the downward spiral of what could be a cute, well run place. Overpriced for what it is. AVOID!!!

dAVID Tue Feb 21 2012
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lived in marylebone for 5 years....il baretto was one of the family faorites!...a bit crowded, yes...a bit noisy, yes...service, never better than so-so............but we loved the bustling atmosphere and enjoyed our food and wine.......every time... and they must be doing something right as snaring a table was often not easy..

kduale Mon Feb 20 2012
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I don't really see what the other reviewers are complaining about. Just got back from a meal here, and I thought it was terrific. We only had pizzas and bottled water, but there was no pressure from the staff for us to eat/drink more. And the pizzas were the best I've had in London; having lived here for 24 years, that's saying a lot. Atmosphere was buzzy and upmarket, and it felt like being in a nice restaurant in Italy. Looking forward to going back soon.

Ben Wed Dec 28 2011
Rated as: 4/5
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I've been here twice. I want to like it because it's close to home. The food is decent, if very expensive for quality and for quantity. The setting is cramped, but passably stylish. But the service is just atrocious. They definitely have enough staff who manage to bump into your chair or table every few minutes. But it's their attitude that is horrendous, as if they're too busy to care. Well, here's one customer they don't have to care about anymore.

Tina B Wed Nov 2 2011
Rated as: 1/5
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