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San Lorenzo

22 Beauchamp Place, SW3 1NH Full details & map

Restaurant: Italian

Time Out says 1 Users say 1/5 Rate it

By Time Out Editors Posted: Dec 15 2009

Famed as a celeb hangout and favourite of Princess Diana, San Lorenzo tries to create an air of upmarket intimacy with its basement setting and mix of eclectic artwork, yet somehow remains safe and square. Food is trad Italian, with a tendency - on our most recent visit - to arrive in huge portions with slightly disconcerting haste. A starter of tuna carpaccio was a large plateful, swathed in rocket and diced tomatoes, and drowning in olive oil dressing, with the result that we couldn't discern any tuna flavour. Calamari fritti was similarly oversized, and rubbery: OK for a beach café, but not a dish for which you'd expect to pay £14.50. Things improved with a main course of rabbit, which had good depth of flavour and came in a rich jus; a big pool of buttery polenta was less appetising. Halibut alla griglia was an old-fashioned-looking assembly of fish, laid out alongside asparagus, a single white potato covered in dark-green bits of herb, and large sticks of plain boiled carrots; the fish was a little overcooked and lacking in flavour. Inflated prices added to our dissatisfaction; the halibut was £25.50. San Lorenzo does engender a slight sense of occasion, and staff were professional, but food was at best indifferent.

Tags: European, Italian, Business, Groups, Central, Knightsbridge, Expensive, Restaurant

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San Lorenzo details

Address

San Lorenzo

22 Beauchamp Place SW3 1NH

Transport Knightsbridge tube

Telephone

020 7584 1074

Lunch served 12.30-3pm, dinner served 7-11pm Mon-Sat.

Main courses £15.50-£28.50. Cover £2.50.

Credit cards AmEx, MC, V

Local Authority food hygiene score
2 out of 5 stars

Facilities

Babies and children welcome ( high chairs ), Booking advisable, Separate rooms for parties ( seating 20-40 ), Available for hire

San Lorenzo map

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Comments & ratings 1/5 (Average of 1 rating)

By Nicholas - Dec 14 2011

1/5

Dreadful! £25 service charge for disgusting service. Rude staff, poured own wine, had to ask for order to be taken, candle went out - left out, empty bottles/glasses/plates left on table, staff have attitude... Over-rated. Don't waste your money here.

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By Chrissie - Mar 8 2011

I had dinner with my husband at San Lorenzo in Beauchamp Place in February 2011. We had an early booking and sat in the bar for a pre-dinner drink. I asked for a fresh orange juice and had a mixed blood red juice which tasted very nice. I asked for another for the second round and was told that there was no more orange as the barman had not made any since lunch and he did not want to make more now. Another waiter was eating slices off the Serrano ham bone in the bar. This ham was meant for the restaurant's customers

We were shown to our table and the starter was cheap and tepid - it had been cooked for some time, but the price would indicate first class food. I could not eat mine as it was rubbery. I sent my main course back, which was risotto - not exacly a difficult Italian dish - but it was not cooked. The waiter actually apologised and offered me the most expensive item on the menu. I had already asked for crudites, as my starter was so bad, but these never came. The wild sea bass which I was given was dreadful, and I left my meal. We had a bottle of Chianti to go with the meal and the bill came to £180 for rubbish - less than a third class meal. My husband had a pncacke pudding which reminded him of being back at boarding school and I abstained as a result of my experience.

The service was rushed and poor. I remembered this restaurant from the 70s when it was fashionable and the food was delicious. The owner is still the same man, but I honestly suggest that readers stay away from what is a total waste of money unless they want a ruined evening.

Chrissie 8th March 2011

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By Luca - Nov 2 2010

I don't necessarily agree with most critics, I think it all comes down to knowing little or nothing about italian food. See you got to know a dish to enjoy it and appreciate it, so not many people actually know much about Italian food, hence the ignorance shown in these negative comments. I LOVE POLENTA!!!

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By melissa - Mar 10 2010

hey erm one of the best italian restaurents ever been to in london but i must say pricey but worth every peny. GO AND ENJOY SOME OF THE BEST ITALIAN FOOD :)
( very posh place!) :P :]