Hi Pippi,

Well am happy to concede that my theory could be wrong! Am glad to get a response so as to form a new hypothesis :-)

I have also travelled a fair bit in Italy. Whilst there, I have been in Italian trattoria (in comparable city surburban locations) that have been very similar experiences. The decor and service is the same in my view, i.e. sometimes moody. The food is different wherever you go but is usually the main focus and good.

So, we have to agree to differ on the standard of the food (have eaten there dozens of times) but I do agree that it is pricey and way higher than trattoria prices in Italy. But there is the rub - they operate in London and there are hundreds of other 'Italian' restaurants that charge similar rates for something mediocre IMHO - the pastiche that some people in the UK refer to as Italian food (and was the thrust of my last post). We only eat there as a special treat as a result but I don't begrudge them the successful business that they are running.

Just curious - do you order any fish courses? This would seem to be their main strength as one would expect from Sardinia... The only disappointing dishes I have ever ordered there have been meat ones so don't tend to do that anymore. Their gelati, coffee and pizza are all, well, the excellent Italian standard. (Pizzas not available on Friday and Saturdays which makes sense when they can fill the place serving other more expensive dishes).

My only gripe is that if you get seated in the back it gets a bit noisy (could do with some wall hangings but then that would mean focussing on the interior). We always make sure we seat somewhere near the front and with the children in tow this actually works better anyway. They are also, as is typical in Italy, very child friendly and so with a small family that is a lovely bonus.

Hope your day improves...

Sandy, that is an interesting spot in Cystal Palace. Have not been to Mediterranea so can't compare. Interesting to note that they describe themselves as a trattoria - have you been?

Edit: just seen Pippi's reply - how interesting, was thinking they had a similar menu!

This post was last modified: 14-10-2014 10:52 AM by lacb.