Santo Mare - London

Elisabetta Mosca

Siamo andati da Santo Mare a festeggiare il nostro primo anniversario di matrimonio. Avevamo grandi aspettative sul cibo e devo dire che in linea di massima sono state tutte rispettate: materia prima fresca, buonissima, piatti eleganti nonostante le porzioni abbondanti. Sapori “italiani”, davvero tutto ottimo. Peccato per il servizio… il cameriere che si è preso cura del nostro tavolo era tutto fuorché un cameriere professionista. Abbiamo preso 2 tartare e un plateau di crudo come antipasto e come primo un piatto di tagliatelle all’astice e uno di gnocchetti con gamberi e pecorino. Ha commentato le scelte dei piatti fatti “ah pure il plateau di crudo?! Ammazza!”, volevamo prendere un carpaccio insieme alle tartare ma ci ha detto “nono lasciate perdere, le porzioni sono abbondanti!”. Allora volevamo ordinare pure il secondo e di nuovo “per due ragazzi è davvero tanta roba, non credo la finirete! Lasciate perdere”. Ok visto che ci ha scoraggiati non prendiamo nient’altro … alla fine del pranzo però ci chiede se volevamo un dolce. Io esclamo subito “sisi! Lo prendiamo” e lui commenta “ammazza! Subito hai detto de si! A te ti comprerei un vestito ma non ti porterei a magnà”. È calato il silenzio… allora si è ripreso dicendo “scusa eh non volevo offenderti, è che sono romano e amo scherzare!”. Avrei voluto chiedergli quale fosse il nesso tra l’essere romano e l’essere maleducato ma ho preferito lasciar perdere, concludere il pranzo e andarcene. Che dire, ha fatto esattamente ciò che un cameriere non dovrebbe fare: scoraggiare i clienti a ordinare, prendersi confidenze mai date, essere invadente al tavolo (veniva sempre a parlarci dei fatti suoi, della sua ex ecc ma lasciaci in pace! Stiamo festeggiando il nostro anniversario!) e fare battute anche maleducate. Siamo rimasti delusi, ci aspettavamo un servizio di qualità esattamente come il cibo servito ma purtroppo non è stato così. Nota di merito invece per la receptionist e la sommelier, molto gentili e premurose.

Dor

Santo Mare offers simple and authentic Italian cuisine, highlighting incredible produce in every dish. The mint linguine was excellent, and the red prawn tartare was impressively fresh. However, the tuna carpaccio and the octopus were both unnecessary. The octopus was steamed instead of grilled and cut in a way that made it taste like rubber, unlike a whole tentacle that's grilled, which allows you to enjoy the crispiness on the outside and the soft texture inside. To their defense, they did say that next time they’ll be able to accommodate a grilled octopus the way we like it.

The clam spaghetti was good, but the standout dish was the Gnocchi with red shrimp, which was absolutely perfection. For dessert, the pistachio ice cream and tiramisu were phenomenal—perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and not overpowering.

The staff are kind and knowledgeable, and the wine selection is extensive. Santo Mare is definitely worth a visit!

Jose Augusto Varela Sebastiao

I recently dined at Santo Mare in London, and my experience was disappointing, to say the least. While the starters were acceptable and offered a decent beginning to the meal, the main course was an utter letdown.

We ordered the seafood risotto, which we had to send back initially because it was bland and lacked flavor. When it returned, there was no noticeable improvement. The dish remained tasteless and almost inedible. Given the restaurant's reputation and the prices they charge, this was wholly unacceptable.

Overall, the lack of quality in the main course overshadowed any positives from the starters. I expected much more from Santo Mare and was thoroughly disappointed.

Fernando Ellakuria

Un muy interesante italiano en el centro de Londres. Servicio amable y rápido y una comida muy buena e interesante. El tiramisú es espectacular. Sin duda mi italiano en esta ciudad

Jamie Whiffen

I recently visited this restaurant with my girlfriend for her birthday, expecting a special experience, but unfortunately, the service fell far short of expectations.

We arrived at 5:30 pm, just over two hours before a show we were seeing later that night, thinking we had plenty of time. Initially, we requested the sea bass with roasted potatoes, however, the wait for our food was a staggering 40 minutes, despite the restaurant being almost empty, with only three or four other tables occupied.

When the sea bass finally arrived, the roasted potatoes that were meant to accompany it were missing. After waiting another five minutes, as we thought they were potentially still cooking the potatoes, we flagged this with the waiter, who seemed surprised and then consulted his colleague, only for us to overhear, “What potatoes?” Clearly, the potatoes had been forgotten. It then took over 10 minutes for them to be cooked and served. By this time, the fish had gone cold. This was deeply frustrating, especially as my girlfriend wanted to enjoy the dish as a complete meal, not separately as eating just fish and then just a plate of potatoes after wouldn't be ideal.

The food itself tasted great however we did leave a hungry. Hoping to salvage the experience, we ordered ice cream for dessert. Strangely, the waiter informed us it would take 12 minutes to prepare. This seemed odd for something so simple. In reality, it took 15 minutes, and when it arrived, it was just ice cream, no additional garnish or presentation to justify the delay.

What should have been a leisurely, celebratory meal turned into a rushed experience due to the numerous delays, leaving us scrambling to pay the bill and make it to our show on time (we were 15-mins late and missed the opening act, which again was disappointing for a birthday occasion and solely the responsibility of the restaurant and its delay). For a meal that cost £154, including a service charge we accidentally paid in our haste, the overall experience was deeply disappointing.

I hope this feedback encourages the restaurant to improve its service standards, as this fell far short of what one would expect at this price point and reputation.

Heintje

Went there because La petit poissionnerie (nearby very good local down-to-earth fish restaurant) was closed. I was in need of a quick dinner.
I ordered grilled squid with Italian broccoli as a side dish. The squid was likely not fresh but frozen, then it becomes rubbery and dry. It came with dry lettuce, just like that. And it was way too much (see picture). And the broccoli turned out to be spinach.
A chef without fantasy and creativity who thinks that large portions make up for it. Maybe that's why there were many American tourists.
Not recommendable.

L

The best sea food restaurant I went it’s very special place and really amazing food also the service is fast
I will definitely come back again

Max Leone

Sono venuto a Londra 3 volte e tutte le volte ho mangiato qui, cibo delizioso, servizio Top, accoglienza unica. Complimenti a tutto lo staff e soprattutto ad Alex che ci ha accolto nel massimo rispetto, in maniera educata e professionale, ma nello stesso tempo facendoci sentire a casa. Da applausi ?