Carluccio’s

Carluccio’s Brunswick Centre branch offers good value for money as a chain restaurant but this particular restaurant lacked quality.
The main chicken milanese was a good portion and tasted nice and the lobster spaghetti was without much lobster but the taste was good.
The desserts were too sweet. I would recommend Carluccio’s usually but perhaps another branch.

I’ve been here three times and it’s been a bit of a mixed bag of experiences.
The first time I went I was in the process of moving into my flat across the road, headed in wearing a vest and bandana looking pretty scruffy and eager for some food, with my equally scruffy looking friend. We were ignored by staff for twenty minutes before we walked out. I was so surprised by this I didn’t return for a couple of years. I’m not sure if we were ignored because we were looking a bit of a mess, but if that’s the case the irony that staff that worked in a medium range Russell Square chain restaurants were acting that way toward someone who actually lived there…
The second time I went in I had certainly forgiven them somewhat, and made the most of their free pastry with a morning coffee thing, both were lovely and he staff that served us were very pleasant and had a nice bit of early morning banter– faith mostly restores.
The third and most recent time, I met up for dinner with one of my old lecturers and the service was brisk and a little snotty. The waiter referred to us as ladies, and yes I do have long hair but I also have quite a wonderful beard. When I jokingly pointed this out to him he got quite flustered, and when I tried to appease this with a standard ‘don’t worry, I’ll take it as a compliment if you think I’m that pretty!’ he didn’t really respond affably and got very awkward for the rest of the service. We ordered a platter, and when it came picked up the menu to make sure we knew what was what before digging in to the large mixed portions as to fully appreciate it. The awkward waiter approached us and asked us what we were doing, which we explained and at first he seemed to take offence and seem to think we were implying something was missing. When we explained again cheerfully, he proceeded to describe each individual thing on the platter in quite a condescending way.
I want to like this place, because damn it, FREE MORNING PASTRY WITH MY COFFEE, but they really are trying to make it hard.
I don’t see that the food is leaps and bounds from pizza express, and it’s not really a fun place to eat. I have on occasion eaten at high end restaurants, some with Michelin stars, and I don’t think I’ve had as snotty aloof treatment from anywhere else I’ve ever eaten! (Okay maybe a place or two in Paris…). Don’t think I’ll be heading back but I’m sure some people like it well enough!

This branch was huge. As a result, the service was mechanical.
One of our starters never came. Chicken Liver Pâté was tasty as usual but the toast was cooked unevenly. The Lobster Spaghetti was overcooked. Milanese di Pollo was OK but the portion was small. Rosemary Potato was soggy, lacked flavour and came without rosemary. Tiramisu was dry in the middle and soggy in the bottom. The pastry of Crostata al Limone was limp. Chef needs to pay more attention to details.
During our stay, two customers complained. One near our table sent back her Ravioli, and another customer was shouting at the manager.
We like Carluccio’s but not this branch.

Food can be quite tasty and nice wine list. The atmosphere is very pleasant and cozy, especially on a rainy evening. But after being seated, the service is appalling, especially when eating alone or as a couple. Servers treat single diners like pariahs. It can easily take 20 minutes to get a drink order and a menu. Once the table is (eventually) served, the waiters are gone for the night. Even big American hand-​waving can’t get them to return, say, for another glass (or bottle) of wine. Then they appear doe-​eyed with the check once they have sneakily surmised that you are so exhausted and frustrated you won’t bother them with another request.

Nice place to grab a seat at the Brunswick. Just don’t expect much by way of service or even basic attention. Don’t be surprised to wait 20+ minutes for anyone to even consider asking about your order. Fortunately the Brunswick has lots of other options.

Great food nice atmosphere, not cheap but Italian transferred to the modern world. Not like the trattorias that used to be everywhere and very grateful for it.
Always a guaranteed to be good if a bit formula, still if it works why change. Every town should have one at least just to make sure we put a floor under quality at every other restaurant in close proximity.

Came here after a red-​eye flight, 20+ hours awake, and coming down with a cold, so I can’t say I was at my best – still, I was hoping for a good Italian comfort lunch and didn’t quite get it. In summary: the menu looked great; food unimpressive.
The place looked very nice on the outside, and was bright and cheery on the inside. Lots of choices on the menu, many of which looked tasty, and lots of nice drinks and coffees to try. Servers were very nice – the pace of service is slow, but I like that, I prefer some time to think over the menu and enjoy appetizers, etc. We ordered a selection of breads (very mediocre) and zuppa di fungi. I enjoyed the soup but I love salt – I think for other people it would have been quite salty. Possibly the chef salted it before adding the pancetta, which definitely would make it saltier.
For the main course, we splurged and got the rump steak to share, medium-​rare. Alas, this review would probably be much better if we hadn’t. Although the parmesan rosemary potatoes were tasty, the meat was medium at best and downright well-​done in places. Although my nose was stuffy, my healthy bf agreed – dry and tasteless.
I keep switching between 2 and 3 stars – for this food at these prices, I feel like 2 stars is more appropriate. But because of my bad mood, the good service, the clean and pleasant atmosphere, and the nice staff, I’ll go for three assuming that the pasta dishes are better.

Amazing Italian restaurant. Great location, great environment and we had one amazing waiter serving us. Certainly superior to what I am used to.
The food was extremely well crafted and seasoned. The wine was excellent too. Certainly a place I would recommend as an Italian restaurant if you are nearby.

Very busy, bustling, noisy interior — eat al fresco (sul a terrazza) if it’s warm enough. The usual range of standard Italian classics with the odd special worth paying the extra for. Good lasagna, not great, but very acceptable. Peroni Red and Gran Reserva available if the normal stuff is too boring. I just wish they would serve Birra Moretti…

I am so impressed because the staff understood what one child could not have certain things because of child allergies. They acted accordingly making sure we had a dish that was suitable and the service was amazing.
They understood the menu, were clever and could not have been more eager to please.
A full and big recommendation, including if you have children.

This happened to be closest to my hotel when I first arrived in London. It was incredibly noisy, as the staff at the front counter were sorting cutlery like they were dealing cards. It was hard to take. The food was extremely average. The parmesan strips in my salad were stale and like shoe leather. The waiter was the pleasant experience here. Nice young guy who did not miss a beat. Wouldn’t eat in another Carluccios.

Last time I went here, I had a great experience. Even though I had to wait until someone saw me to actually come and serve me, it was pretty quick after that. It has that authentic feel about it which I really enjoyed. I’d go again and its a great place to meet friends.

What a night.
Amazing food and service from Carluccio’s, where we were welcomed on a busy Saturday night, shuffling some tables about outside before moving indoors later on.
Waited a while to get served initially, but like I said, it was busy.
Cant comment on the value for money as I did not pay the bill, but I can vouch for the quality of the food and the wine.
Nice décor, clean toilets, a good shout if you’re down here.
Believe!

Carluccio’s is one of the restaurants I visit most at the Brunswick Centre. People may believe that because it is a chain restaurant, it is not authentic Italian. However, I see many Italian families in here and they seem to enjoy it.
The menu is very much like the traditional style of Italian dining. You have the starters and antipasti section and then the pasta dishes followed by the meaty main courses. If you have room, there is a fine selection of desserts too.
All dishes are reasonably priced.
If you like coffee, Carluccio’s is a great place to have a cup (also available to-​go) as there is a good selection of Italian beans available. You can choose between Napoli — strong and robust — and Milano — smooth and mellow — blends. If coffee isn’t your thing, Carluccio’s do an amazing cioccolata fiorentina, an authentic, rich, chocolatey drink that is a must for any chocoholic; like chocolate soup served in an espresso cup.
The food menu is extensive and is a suitable for meat eaters and vegetarians. Whether you’re after a light meal or a good feed, there’s a good variety of dishes, no matter how hungry you are; from picking at the delicious antipasti massimo or a slab of their softest focaccia, to wolfing down a slice of lasagna — I’ve never been disappointed with anything I’ve ate here.
There staff are helpful and chatty and always seem happy to be serving you.
The restaurant is wheelchair accessible, and there is a disabled toilet with the others towards the rear of the restaurant.

I thought it was excellent — my hotel was close to the Russell Square tube stop and Carluccio’s was right on my way to/​from the stop. I had breakfast and dinner. Breakfast was very tasty and their cappuccino was excellent. Dinner was fair (excellent price) — not sure I’d go back again for dinner, but if you’re looking for something reasonably priced and excellent quality, Carluccio’s is your place!

Das ist ein relativ günstiger (Ketten-)Italiener, der sich im Einkaufszentrum «The Brunswick» befindet. Das Essen ist allerdings von der Qualität her nur mäßig und vielleicht ist der Koch hier ein Kettenraucher — auf jeden Fall war mein Tomatensalat (als Beilage zum Fisch) ziemlich salzig.

Back up to a four, for a great Sunday breakfast. Mushrooms and perfect scrambled eggs on toast with delicious crispy pancetta bacon and a token tomato, cappuccino and fresh lemonade.

I used to go to this place when I lived in the area. It serves good Italian food, I particularly love their Italian produce for sale at the corner of their shop. The grassini (if I spelled it correctly) is so tasty! The price is a bit more than you would expect given the regular food menu and taste. It is not too bad!

I like to go to Carluccio after finishing my day and getting back to my house and get back to the family routine. This branch has a very nice (relaxing) setting, average food, but very good coffee! Though service is not the best thing in Carluccio.
I dined once or twice in Carluccio and it was not as expected.
I was also invited lately to a birthday there and I found out that they have nice olives, cheese platter and starters.

It’s a chain, so you can’t expect miracles. But as far as chain Italian places go, Carluccio’s is usually a safe bet. They have decent menu options that change suitably with the seasons. And the shop is great for nice deli treats and baked goods.
For a Saturday night, the service was as expected: slow and unreliable. Spilled wine and coffee, etc etc.
I had a salad that basically consisted of 2 different types of lettuce and a little drizzle of oil and balsamic. Seriously. £3.50 for that. My sea bass entrée was pretty good, I have to say.
As I said before, it’s a safe bet but nothing spectacular.
The advantage to this location is that it’s not usually as busy on weekends, but if it is there are plenty of other options within the Brunswick Centre. And there are some nice hidden gems in the Russell Square area for after-​dinner drinks.

I was looking forward to a meal here, following a very good french film at the Renoir cinema and encouraged by Antonio Carluccio’s reputation for using good quality, fresh ingredients.
Unfortunately, the calamari that we ordered as a starter and that was unceremoniously plonked in front of us was as tough as old boots and we sent it back.
Some time later, they came by to tell us we were right. Yeah, thanks a bundle, I think we’d realised that already. A bit patronising. We cancelled the order, having little faith they could produce an edible plate of squid why should we?
They certainly never offered to provide a replacement free of charge or a complimentary glass of wine to make up for the frankly inedible starter. And the waiter never brought us the water we’d ordered with our wine.
The spaghetti vongole I had as a main course was underwhelming, and the dessert we shared that was supposedly dipped in rum seemed never to have been near a bottle of alcohol in its life.
Frankly, not impressed. The only highlight was spotting Rupert Everett there.