La Cucina di Soteri
Nelson Road, SE10
This is a classic example of a place that promises slightly more than it delivers, IMHO. It looks fantastic - perched on the corner of the road opposite Nauticalia and Dreadnought Library and painted a jaunty yellow, this family-run Italian really looks the business.
I always get just a little excited when I go in - and yes, I do go in on a reasonably regular basis (given that trying to test out all the eateries in Greenwich doesn't allow much in the way of return visits save for the excellent Kum Laung.) The welcome is always friendly, the interior bright, modern and promising in bright shades of yellow and blue, the menu also quite interesting, usually with a special that actually changes.
And the dishes are quite good. The pasta's fine and the pizza is freshly made and not bad. But in my humble opinion, that's all it is. It isn't fantastic, which it really could be. Obviously it's better than somewhere like Pizza Luna, the worst pizza I have ever eaten, but this is a family-run Italian restaurant - the pizza should be amazing, not just not bad. There is something truly wonderful about a superbly-made pizza, however simple the topping - that skinny-thin, slightly bubbly, unevenly-shaped dough, covered with truly tomatoey, well-made sauce (guess who's on a diet just now and can't have any) and baked to perfection. Sadly, La Cucina's version just doesn't do it for me - it's almost there - but not quite.
One thing that La Cucina is good for is group meals - something at which they excel - and virtually every time I've ever been in there it's been full of parties - birthday, work and anniversary-style. Everybody always seems to be having a good time and there is plenty of bonhomie from the staff and space for such occasions (including an inexplicably large empty space downstairs where the loos are.) For that reason it's not really the best place for intimate diner-a-deux.
I will keep going to La Cucina di Soteri - it's good for pre-cinema visits and lunchtimes - but I really wish they'd up their game on the food. Just a little more effort and they could be stunning. Sadly a cry that could apply to so many eateries in Greenwich...
This is a classic example of a place that promises slightly more than it delivers, IMHO. It looks fantastic - perched on the corner of the road opposite Nauticalia and Dreadnought Library and painted a jaunty yellow, this family-run Italian really looks the business.
I always get just a little excited when I go in - and yes, I do go in on a reasonably regular basis (given that trying to test out all the eateries in Greenwich doesn't allow much in the way of return visits save for the excellent Kum Laung.) The welcome is always friendly, the interior bright, modern and promising in bright shades of yellow and blue, the menu also quite interesting, usually with a special that actually changes.
And the dishes are quite good. The pasta's fine and the pizza is freshly made and not bad. But in my humble opinion, that's all it is. It isn't fantastic, which it really could be. Obviously it's better than somewhere like Pizza Luna, the worst pizza I have ever eaten, but this is a family-run Italian restaurant - the pizza should be amazing, not just not bad. There is something truly wonderful about a superbly-made pizza, however simple the topping - that skinny-thin, slightly bubbly, unevenly-shaped dough, covered with truly tomatoey, well-made sauce (guess who's on a diet just now and can't have any) and baked to perfection. Sadly, La Cucina's version just doesn't do it for me - it's almost there - but not quite.
One thing that La Cucina is good for is group meals - something at which they excel - and virtually every time I've ever been in there it's been full of parties - birthday, work and anniversary-style. Everybody always seems to be having a good time and there is plenty of bonhomie from the staff and space for such occasions (including an inexplicably large empty space downstairs where the loos are.) For that reason it's not really the best place for intimate diner-a-deux.
I will keep going to La Cucina di Soteri - it's good for pre-cinema visits and lunchtimes - but I really wish they'd up their game on the food. Just a little more effort and they could be stunning. Sadly a cry that could apply to so many eateries in Greenwich...
Labels: Eating Out
posted by The Greenwich Phantom at
08:36
20 Comments:
RE La Cucina, I wasn't too taken with it either, but that's eating out in greenwich, the home of lowered expectations.
Am i just crap at searching or have you not yet reviewed http://www.se10.info/?
The roast dinner on sundays (booking esential) is magic, epecially for fifteen quid (18 if your allowed pudding). Very child friendly. House Red was fantastic, really it was.
No - you're not crap at searching, I haven't reviewed it yet. This is mainly because the last time I went to this splendid establishment was over a year ago and I want to go again before reveiwing it properly. I did really enjoy it - but to write a review based on experiences from so long ago seems wrong (besides, it gives me an excuse to go again.)
Sadly, because I'm not funded by any publication (a fact of which I am proud)the restaurant visits have to be spaced out. But now you have reminded me. I'll try to get there in the near future.
I've been to La Cucina and wont be returning. It was completely empty and we were given the worst seats by the open kitchen. The food was pretty boring and tasteless.
But as you mentioned SE10.... that must be the worst restaurant in Greenwich (luckily its hid away so fewer people will have to experience it). The food was horrific, prices way too high and the service lousy. The waitress didn't know what was their special and staff were dressed in worn-out dirty looking clothes. the bill was almost as much as you pay in restaurants like Inside and North Pole. I just think they try to do stuff that is way beyond their reach...
You went to Pizza Luna and lived to tell the tale?!
Only just - it was a horrific experience.
Your review of the La Cucina is spot on. The food is OK ,but not great. Simple pasta dishes are probably their best offer. I think they could improve if they worked with better basic ingredients Service is prompt and friendly, and yes I can confirm that its a good place for a group meal.
I haven't been to SE10 for a couple of years. I think it lost its way a little when the previous owner/manager moved to The Hill
I see Pizza Luna has now closed.
Ooops. Hope it was nothing I said...
On my only visit to SE10 they substituted instant coffee in small cups for espresso! That just about summed up my meal there.
Oh no! I love La Cucina! It's one of my favourite Greenwich restaurants! Their pasta dishes are fantastic, the staff are super friendly and it's quiet reasonable? Although I have to say I've never had the pizza as I always think that that is what Pizza Express is for?
An awful tourist trap complete with already-added service charge. Pizza was mediocre, there wasn't a porcini mushroom to be seen in their Risotto di Porcini, and it tasted like a readymeal. Best avoided.
Anyone remember the original La Cucina on creek road, which was demolished to make way for the DLR station complex?
Went there with my family (inc 4 children) on a visit to the National Maritime Museum. As occasional visitors to London we don't have time to go through all the restaurants on a street to find the "best", we need children friendly places and we are on a budget.
We really enjoyed our experience and our food. We thought the service was warm and welcoming. We enjoyed the food and thought it was good value. They coped with our children well.
All in all we would return next time in Greenwich as it was by far and away the best restaurants experience of our various trips into London.
I left a comment about this restaurant on another webpage not too long ago:
http://www.mygreenwich.org/greenwich/restaurants-reviews-la-cucina_di_soteri.htm
I checked back recently and found a glowing review had been left directly after mine. So I googled the restaurant name and this blog popped up, complete with the exact same glowing review. I dislike this type of thing, it's always very suspect. If a restaurant was really worth it's salt it shouldn't have to stoop to such maneuvres....
E,
I am the double poster you mentioned. I have no connection with the restaurant other than my one visit. I am what I say I am - a tourist family wanting somewhere to eat after visiting the Maritime Museum who found our eating experience at La Cucina very enjoyable.
My review was simply stating what my family found when I went to La Cucina and I believe in praising where praise is deserved.
I don't wish to get into any kind of blog war, and if I have broken any "rules" of blogging by placing the same review in two different places, then I apologise.
My, what a busy father of four....
According to this week's gripping issue of Greenwich Time, they've just been fined £1113 for hygiene offences.
I was disappointed they didn't find room in the paper for a picture of Chris Roberts with a mop and bucket. Oh well.
@methers
I just read that article too and came to see if it was mentioned here.
I've been to La Cucina a couple of times, once for a quiet meal with my wife and once for a big family get together. Neither visit was anything special - the food was reasonable and the service was fairly decent. However, the mention of a "live mouse infestation" is enough to put me off ever going there again!
It's a shame that there are so many independent restaurants in Greenwich that seem to feel like they don't have to try very hard because they're guaranteed a lot of tourist trade.
This is the absolutely worst restarant in Greenwich. They appear to have no understanding of cuisine or service. The mussels were slimy and salty and revolting. The predominant flavour was SALT to the extent that the food was inedible. When we complained the lady manageress (if thats who she was) said the the chef "did not accept our complaint" and was unbelievably rude and agressive.
AVOID THIS AWFUL PLACE!
This is the absolutely worst restarant in Greenwich. They appear to have no understanding of cuisine or service. The mussels were slimy and salty and revolting. The predominant flavour was SALT to the extent that the food was inedible. When we complained the lady manageress (if thats who she was) said the the chef "did not accept our complaint" and was unbelievably rude and agressive.
AVOID THIS AWFUL PLACE!
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