Fratelli la Bufala

We revisited Bufala on Saturday, thinking that the bad review must be a one-off. It wasn’t. Admittedly 8pm on Saturday is a busy time, but we had to wait ages even to order drinks. The staff are smart and pleasant , but we felt ignored. The food was very slow in coming : no-one around us seemed to be eating either. Starters of “ grilled cheese sandwich” and crostini were OK, but the “focaccia” was more like soggy pizza base. There was another endless wait for mains, and then none were up to scratch: expensive grilled fish (tiny portion, over-done and oily at the same time); pizza (too much cheese, soggy base) and pasta (adequate , but for £13, overpriced for such an average and small portion). Only the (starter) aubergine parmigiana was really pleasant.

They obviously consider themselves to be a posh Italian restaurant , with prices to match , but in our opinion, you’d get better food at Pizza Express. Its clearly a strong favourite with the “Hampstead set”, and was certainly buzzing and full, but we thought it a poor deal overall.

La Bufala used to be one of my favourite Italian restaurants. The food was divine, with gorgeous & light garlic bread, perfectly cooked generous portions of pasta & huge thin base pizzas with wonderful toppings.
Sadly my dining experience last night will be my last. We went there with friends & after 45 minutes of no service a barman came to take our drinks order (no food, he didn’t have any paper). The drinks arrived and he promptly spilled a Coke over my friend, her new blazer and her chair. To his credit, it was a mistake and he cleaned it up immediately. He was a lovely, amiable chap - albeit a terrible waiter, but went out of his way to make the rest of our evening better.
Having waited for almost an hour to order my friend politely went to enquire as to whether we may order. He was met by an apologetic waiter who offered a discount on our bill.
What followed can only be described as comic.
A loud, bolshy, rude Italian man made his way over to our table, dragging the aforementioned waiter. They proceeded to have an elaborate fight over us at our table, pointing at my friend who was covered in Coke and then at the other friend who had asked to order. Sadly, I understand some Italian. I had the pleasure of listening to the obtuse gentleman (the owner) shame the waiter and tell him he didn’t have the authority to promise money off the bill, but rather should have told us to leave!
This same Master of the House then went on to question my friend over "Coke-Gate" claiming that she had spilled the drink herself and was shifting the blame. Even the poor barman knew that wasn’t true. He complained her blazer was dry and we were liars. Sadly I missed him then tell us to leave if we didn’t like it. Had I heard that I would have walked straight out!
I shared the specials starter - scallops with asparagus. A tasteless oily dish of overcooked tough scallops & stringy asparagus.
Their bread was tasty, but not nearly as good as it used to be & much smaller too - a theme for the evening.
Our main course arrived. I was expecting my Parpadelle to be the large feisty bowl I had grown to know and love, instead I was greeted by a beautifully plated but rather stingy plate of pasta. In truth the pasta was delicious. Perfectly cooked and truly tasty. The prawns, like the scallops were not cooked but beaten, battered and killed of flavour.
It only got worse. We tried to rationalise with the proud proprietor, he shouted over me (I was trying to explain the food didn’t taste good) & threatened to call the police because, after asking us to leave, my friend said he would leave but if kicked out he would not pay the bill! I told him the food was bad, he asked what I thought he "has to do about it" I told him an apology would go quite far. His answer: "why? I didn’t cook your food".
Sadly it’s the end of a really beautiful friendship. I loved that restaurant, but if going back there means putting money in the pocket of that man, I’d rather go to Pizza Hut.

Can't believe the other review. I go here about 1 a month and have done so for a year now. This is a great restaurant, VERY Italian with a very Italian decor, atmosphere and staff!

I've had bad service once, which I think was a minor blip, about two months ago, because since then and before the service has always been exceptional - fast and very friendly.

I've never had bad food so don't know what the other review is on about.

The food really is typical Italian, try the steak with parmesan crust - incredible. Perhaps the reviewer doesn't like authentic Italian? It's certainly not to everyone's taste.

Average to bad food that could have been saved by good service, but unfortunately the service received was indifferent at best, and arrogant at worst.

After experiencing an overpriced and miserable dinner, I have no idea how this restaurant has managed to get a good review from Time Out, especially in London’s competitive Italian restaurant marketplace. Go somewhere else.