Donatello

StarvinMarvin

The lazy option. 7th January 2009

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Please don't be lazy and go here! I know it's tempting, I know it's conveniant (so central and large tables for big groups, child friendly, low prices etc etc.) but it really is the most uninspiring, stodge ever served up on a plate, not to mention that the service on every ocassion I've been (yes I've been a few times, because I AM lazy) has been uncaring, rushed even verging on rude.

There are SO many Italian restaurants in Brighton, many much much better than this place. So please, don't be swayed by the conveniance of it all, or the low prices. This place put me off pasta for quite some time. Thankfully I now realise pasta dishes do NOT have to be the lifeless, flavourless concoctions Donatellos serves up.

Do yourself a favour and take a bit more time, stroll away from that central area, head into the North Laine! There are many Italian places in that direction that are head and shoulders above the likes of Donatellos.

Or...you could just be lazy and disappointed. The choice is yours!

missynm

Fishy...but not in a good way 14th November 2008

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I dont really understand why anyone ever eats here. Not only Donatello's but also the many other establishments owned by the same family, such as FatLeo's round the corner. Id like my dinner before christmas! and it would help if it didn't taste like wallpaper paste. Considering the amount of other good italians in brighton, where the service is much quicker, the atmosphere is more pleasing and the food is far better (such as opposition round the corner) why these restaurants are packed out every weekend i dont know. I ordered the spaghetti with mussels, hoping it would stand up to the spaghetti with clams at carluccio's. After waiting nearly an hour for it to turn up with no apology from the unfriendly staff, its was cold, over cooked and tasteless. The foods a lot like Danii Minogue: completely plastic and tasteless, but everyone seems to like her.

sithlord

Whole of brighton eats here 7th October 2008

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Donatellos is a cheap, eat for us all. We have, by the looks of all the reviews here had a taste of the donatello menu and by most accounts we have or will go back again. It is not the wonderful service, the stylish interior, the friendly faces of the staff that we go back for. No lets admit it to our selves, its quite cheap, you get a lot of food, the chocolate cake and the ice creams are nice and we all cannot keep away.
The restaurant is clean, modern and light and if you dont mind waiting you will eventually get a table. But we have other restaurants to choose from so why do we keep coming back here. Well its not fantastic, not mind blowing, not posh, but its good enough and you can get much much worse, so thats why we all like it, its ok.

sailorboy

Four stars 3rd October 2008

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Walk through the lanes towards donatello on a weekend and the smell of fresh garlic oozes from every where on a busy night at donatellos. They have a lot osf seating and they need it as they get very full. There are outdoor seats as well as a top floor and two lower floors to sit in. The pizza that they do is good, nice texture, not too thick or thin and a good selection of toppings on them. They fill up a big dinner plate and you are full when you have had one of these. They have a set menu with three courses at £8.95 each, a bit more to pay at weekends and you have the choice of three starters, any pizza or pasta and a dessert. You will be full I warn you and it is busy ,so not a romantic night out but good food and it is reliable.

Kathhere

Donatello 22nd September 2008

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a huge group of us went here for a hen do and it was just what we needed to set us up for the night - long tables where you can be rowdy-ish, cocktail menu to get started and a good selection of italian favourites, including the option to have 3 courses for about £12. Great place to fill up on good pizza and pasta before going on elsewhere

Maybe not the place to go for a quiet romantic night for two, but if you're looking for a party venue to start the night in style, and you want to let your hair down, this is a good place to go for

raviolli1

good but busy 17th September 2008

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You can tell by the number of reviews that this place does a lot of trade, we have all been to donatellos at some time and deep down we all know that we will end up there again soon. It is busy. the staff are over stretched, not over friendly, but the food has been good on every visit pretty similar in quality and portion size. so I am afraid I am going to have to admit that it must be ok, other wise why would I keep going back there. The set meal deals are great value, the pizza is good, lovely ice cream creations. I will go back, but do not try to go at week ends it really is so busy. They are a success and they know it.

Review_Mouse

Just follow the smell of garlic! 15th September 2008

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I have to admit that although this seems to be another of those chain Italian restaurants in Brighton, it has always been consistently good. I have never had a bad meal here and of course it is very good value. One gripe would be about the service which in my experience has been consistently poor. I don’t mind waiting for a table in a restaurant, but once you are finally seated at Donatellos, expect to have to fight to get a waiter’s attention! Also, the noise….if you are adverse to restaurants that are crammed full of screeching birthday and hen parties I’d avoid this place on a weekend! That said, if you are with a bunch of friends on a social night out, I would highly recommend it as the food will be good and the sorting out the bill at the end won’t be too grim! If you love melted mozzarella, tomato and aubergine get the Melanzane alla Parmigiana – it’s lush!

Rojimbo

another italian 11th September 2008

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Ok almost everyone in brighton has been to donatellos at some point. The set meals are ok, well priced and the food is usually ok. The place is always popular and busy and at weekends it is a long wait for a table. The chocolate cake thing that you get as a dessert on the two or three course set meal is good but after a while it gets too chocolatey, some ice cream with it would be good. On the whole its ok but I have been to better places which offer similar meal deals and while i would reccomend it as being ok, there are places I have enjoyed much more. The service charge is 10%, optional, but pay up if you want to back.

Bensonrad

4th September 2008

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What can I say, it is cheap, it is cheerful, it is always very busy. This is right in the centre or Brighton in the Lanes area. Of the 30 odd times I have been here, I have never had a bad experience, they do great set menus, they have so many tables and covers I am amazed at how they do it. There are usually special offer vouchers in the local papers, so be sure to check those out before visting. Always a fun and lively place, the staff are friendly enough and you will not be disappointed.

Velma

Great value 4th September 2008

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Tucked away in the lanes of Brighton, Donatellos was recommended to me by my brother and is certainly worth a visit.

It's a large restaurant over several floors and can get very busy. The toilets are situated on the top floor, so expect a bit of a climb to use the loo!

Nonetheless, on the day we visited the service was excellent and we were warmly welcomed.

There's an extensive menu at reasonable prices. For even greater value you can choose the set meals of either two or three courses, although you are limited to a small number of dishes.

The quality and presentation of the meals were excellent and I would definitely recommend it.