Bistro Benito - Kensington and Chelsea

We chose this restaurant near our hotel based on its positive reviews, and we were not disappointed. The waitress and chef gave us a warm welcome and attentive service. As we only eat halal, they provided us with a variety of vegan dishes and halal chicken options. The cozy decor added to the pleasant atmosphere, and we found the prices to be quite reasonable.

Despite the attractive entrance that gives the impression of a small traditional Italian restaurant, be prepared for a very unpleasant food experience. Not only is the owner somewhat intrusive (to put it mildly), but the dishes were of poor quality and not at all representative of fine Italian cuisine. They were overly spiced (especially with pepper), masking the true flavors of the food. I would recommend dining at Theo Restaurant in the Indigo hotel instead, where you can enjoy a serious and delicious Italian meal.

Bistro Benito was near our hotel and the reviews were very good so we decided to give it a try. Food was average, decor dated but service excellent.

By chance, stumbled into Bistro Benito, but I can assure you the next time it will be by design. Besides the warm greeting from the owner and the staff (which might well have been family as well) it was almost immediately clear I was about to enjoy a very good meal. Good is damning with faint praise it was excellent. I had a mozarella Caprese salad to start. To my surprise the tomatos had taste and the addition of cucumbers and a first class balsamic vinegar made it. Better yet they allowed me to dress my own salad so it was not drowned in the oil and vinegar but just enough to heighten the flavor. My main course was Veal Milanese. The veal was nicely breaded and so tender it cut with a fork. When veal is pounded thin if it is over done or over cooked it is easy to turn it into shoe leather this was not. A side of pasta accompanied with a flavorful meat sauce a little bit of lemon from a fresh slice made the veal sing. I suspect the deserts were equally good alas there was just no room for one but my meal was finished with coffee with a touch of sambucca. I will be back food this good is worth 3500 mile plane ride

Some reviews suggest a typical Italian experience in London, but this wasn’t exactly what I found. In reality, this is only if you confuse typical Italy warmth with disorganization and people loudly arguing to each other. Service was very disorganized, sometimes even rude. Crew discussed among themselves and we felt like they choose the tables they would give more attention (it took us a lot of time to be waited) But the worst part was the food: pasta was not handmade and my risotto nothing special, actually it was tasteless If you want a good Italian experience and not a sort of stereotype of Italian attitude, I don’t recommend you this place