Clos Maggiore

KateLW

Book ahead! 27th February 2009

1 found this helpful

This place is always fully booked (but never rushes you through multiple sittings), so book ahead as the food is relaiably great (traditional French, so rich and creamy), and the set menus are excellent value. Wine list is a huge tome, but there are good value bottles at the bottom end for credit crunch diners. The downstairs conservatory is lovely, with an open fire, and the upstairs room is cosy wood panelled, so both good.

RagingAardvark

Thoroughly recommended 9th September 2008

1 found this helpful

Maggiore's is a true find. A romantic, sophisticated restaurant serving superb quality food, attended by knowledgeable and discreet staff.

It gets very busy before the theatres open but, if you don't mind an early evening meal, they are happy to seat you on spec.

If you value your partner, then I can't think of a much better place for a romantic tete-a-tete. Why not precede with a drink at the Stafford in St James'?

jlonners

good food, poor service 1st September 2008

1 found this helpful

We choise this reastaurant is it looked great from the outside, there were massive chandalliers hanging down with candles in them (I think its been changed slightly now) and it had a cosy yet posh apperance. Unfortunatly we got the sleazy italian waiter type who decided to prey apon two woman alone by flattering us in hope of a large tip. He even sat with us as he took the order. This really put me off and I think we asked him to leave us alone in the end. The food was good, the steak was perfect and the dessert lovely. This is quite an expensive place, add to that the pushy waiter and you might want to avoid it if your party is all female. The location of course is bang on, about 30 seconds walk from the market area of covent garden.

Litro_K

Clos to perfection 8th June 2008

6 found this helpful

I had heard great things about this restaurant and had wanted to try it out for some time. Finally an occasion presented itself: my mum's birthday. I booked a table for lunch at very short notice (ie. same day) with no fuss and no quibble when we arrived slightly early.

The interior is impressive - a cosy, intimate setting with quirky, stylish design features such as walls covered with foliage and a beautiful central room at the back of the restaurant with the famed fireplace and sliding glass roof. We didn't get to sit in that part this time, but the whole restaurant is charming.

The wait staff all have different set jobs, making the service extremely efficient and letting each person's expertise shine. From the Maitre'd who greeted us warmly, through the drinks waiter, the sommelier, the person we ordered our food with and finally our desserts waiter, each interaction was poised, polite, and effortlessly amiable. We were made to feel valued and special, something which should happen more often, as we discussed afterwards. We both felt as if our birthdays had come all at once.

The food didn't let us down, either. We plumped for the 3 course set menu for £19.50, incredibly good value considering a 3 course a la carte meal for two with wine would have worked out at maybe £70-£90 a head, but chose a starter of pea soup from the main menu, with the waiter adjusting our bill accordingly to make the price around the same. The soup was basically a gorgeous concoction of pureed peas and cream, with a poached egg and a hint of truffle oil, plus a lovely little chorizo crouton on the side. Mains were simply made with excellent quality ingredients: I had pan-fried salmon fillet with a fennel duxelle and crispy socca, an Indian-style fried chickpea crepe, whilst my mum's corn-fed chicken breast was exquisite, served with simple buttered greens. We asked the sommelier for two wine recommendations by the glass as the wine list is dauntingly extensive (a huge 100 page tome, complete with contents page, that they place on the table with a knowing smile), but no doubt incredible. Her choices suited our dishes perfectly. Mum finished with an Ile Flottante for dessert, while I plumped for coffee and petits fours- beautiful little handmade éclairs, truffles, and meringues.

I found Clos Maggiore to be a complete gem and the kind of place I’d love to be surprised with a visit to for another special occasion. The service and general dining experience really beats most other Covent Garden venues hands-down. Worth booking in advance next time you have a cosy tête-a tête to attend to.

akira22098

Love the fireplace 2nd November 2007

2 found this helpful

Lovely restaurant in Covent garden area. Delicious food, amazing service, conservatory at the back with fireplace. Amazing selection of wine (the wine list is the size of a phone directory) although drinks can be a bit on the pricy side. I highly recommend this restauant.

sara

12th April 2007

6 found this helpful

I recently took my boyfriend for a romantic birthday meal at Clos Maggiore and we were not disapointed!

The staff were extremely welcoming, helpful and unpretentious and the surroundings beautiful.
We sat on the ground floor (recommended!) underneath blossoming trees and a glass roof. Surrounded by mirrors and a roaring fire the atmosphere was perfect.

The wine list is more than 100 pages and has earnt them many well deserved awards. There is something for everyone from every country, with a variety of vintages to choose from.
As for the food menu - whether you go for a 6 course tasting menu at £55 (more with matched wines) or choose from the main menu - you will not be disappointed.
After an appertiser of bread sticks with goats cheese and truffle dip and tapenade with our pre-dinner drinks we were ready to choose.
I started with gnocchi, asparagus and mushrooms whilst my boyfriend plumped for the foie gras and pigeon breast.
To follow we chose ducks breast with bak choi and rack of lamb with roasted bell pepper stuffed with smoked mashed potato setting it off perfectly.

All the food is seasonal, delicious and the portions are very generous.

There is also a very impressive dessert and cheese menu which we didn't manage to sample due to the aforementioned generous portions!

Everything about this restaurant is perfect for a special meal and the service and food definitely lived up to the impressive surroundings.

sue

Modern European Cuisine in Covent Garden 28th March 2007

5 found this helpful

If you want to enjoy a great meal with fabulous service and a wine list bigger than an average novel, then Clos Maggiore's could be the place for you. The restaurant serves up Modern European cuisine with an Italian lean, and its award winning wine list includes favourites from all over the world.

Another draw card here is the amazing decorated lower level of the restaurant - updated at the start of each season, there are vines weaving across the roof to create a feeling of dining in a garden. Unfortunately we were not lucky enough to sit in this part of the restaurant, but will definitely request it next time.

I dined here one night with 4 girls that I used to work with - our company was paying for us to have a nice meal to thank us for all our hard work. The food was pretty special. I had an amazing baked veal rump with potato gnocchi & a delicious sauce. My colleagues had a tender aged beef fillet, fabulously presented fish, and another had a chicken dish with snails. Desserts were also excellent - a tasty pannacotta with lavender ice cream, and the most delicious chocolate tart you have ever tasted.

I was particularly impressed with the mammoth (and expensive) wine list. I sampled a couple of different wines by the glass and look forward to going back one day for more. Hopefully I will get back with my husband for a romantic dinner and make sure we are sitting in the "right" part of the restaurant to allow us the complete Clos Maggiore's experience.

simonB

22nd March 2007

4 found this helpful

This is a regular lunchtime venue for me when entertaining clients and it has never yet disappointed. The lunchtime menu with choice of 3 starters and 3 mains is very good value, but if you are feeling flush, the wine list goes on for miles and caters for every budget!

The blossom laden branches at the back of the restarant create a really good atmosphere and the fire they have going in the winter months is a nice touch.

Never been in the evening, but recommend you book for lunch - the place is popular

Hazzabout

Gorgeous restaurant in Covent Garden perfect for a special meal 31st October 2006

6 found this helpful

I have to agree with my good friend Formaggio on this one. My favourite thing is the unusual decor - it's festooned with blossom-laden tree branches, and in the summer the courtyard roof opens so you're dining al fresco. In the winter it's much cosier (I seem to remember they have an open fire).

They serve sophisticated and v delicious mediterranean food. Excellent wines and a friendly sommelier who will suggest a glass of wine to go perfectly with your meal. Go for the set lunch option which is, I think, about 16 quid for 2 courses - very good value for food of this quality.

walid at 31/10/06

�16 for 2 courses at Maggiore's that sounds like a real bargain! I thought does guys where more expensive.

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Formaggio_Amore

Romantic Italian restaurant in Covent Garden 7th August 2006

3 found this helpful

If you want delicious Italian/Modern European/Mediterranean food served with style and attention, with the choice of an impressive selection of 2,000 wines, all amidst a cosy and romantic atmosphere, then look no further that Maggiore’s. The waiters’ and sommelier’s attention and advice is very good, too. You won’t expect to pay small change for such a dining experience of course but I can assure you that he/she may want to kiss you afterwards more than just on the cheek! This is an ideal, refined pre/post theatre “culinary nest”. Booking ahead is advised, even for dining during the week; it's that good!

walid at 24/01/07

...do you want to add a little bit more regarding that experience of who would "want to kiss you afterwards more than just on the cheek!"

Formaggio_Amore at 24/01/07

Err...one of the Cheeky Girls! ;O)

walid at 24/01/07

...I hope not the one with the MP!!!

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