Artigiano Restaurant in Islington

We had a gig to attend which started at 19:00. We arrived at the restaurant at 17:00 with friends. We ordered drinks, starters and mains. One of our party asked for a Bellini. The waitress hesitated and reluctantly said yes to making the cocktail. We waited 30/40 minutes for our starters which were foccacia, king prawns, calamari and literally a plate of cheese. Two of the starters came out one by one with 5 minute intervals in between. We ordered 4 starters and it took them 10 minutes after our first starter to take them out. 20 minutes later they cleared our plates. 30 minutes go by and we chase up our main meals- staff are clueless and unapologetic. They tell us our mains will be with us soon. A waitress then comes out 10 minutes after this to say that they do not have one of the dishes we asked for. They'd have known this from the get go so why did it take them so long to let us know? Cut a long story short staff continued to lie to us about where our food was, we decided to leave. The restaurant was not busy at all and other customers were walking out. Shambolic experience. I have no idea why they have such raving reviews. Was not a good start to the evening. Avoid this establishment at all costs!

Picked this place based on previous reviews. On arrival all looked clean and nice. Waited ages to get offered drinks, longer again to order. Then waited well over an hour for food. Staff couldn’t remember what people had ordered and brought wrong dishes to tables. 3 of our dishes arrived including a pizza so burnt underneath it was inedible, waiting another 15mins for rest of food to arrive. Other tables clearly having similar problems. Saw one couple leave after waiting 30 mins without being able to order! Main issue was clearly with kitchen staff, but waiting staff didn’t really seem to be on the ball. One positive was that they didn’t argue when I refused to pay for some of the dishes.

I am so baffled by the other reviews! Me and my dad went here tonight to get food before a concert and after 50 minutes!!!! We finally asked ‘sorry where is our food’ to be told ‘5 minutes’ and for it to take another 10 before we just said I’m sorry we actually need to leave! Also, when I told the waitress it appeared many others had had the same issue and were waiting on there food- essentially everyone. One family next to us got their food apparently after 55 minutes and they forgot the sons, only to come out 10 minutes later and say yeah your food didn’t actually go through! Sorry because hate to give a bad review but honestly a terrible experience.

So maines and satrter was really nice. Dessert kid of disaster - was ordered toramisu what don't taste even close how it supposed to be and cheesecake was terrible. Staff not attentive at all. We just sit there 20 minutes after finished or meel and we needed called for them to ask for desert meal. For me it feel not acceptable that in italian restaurant they play Russian music. Loved food but because of stuff not sure if i will go ever back.

We chanced upon Artigiano Restaurant when we were staying in the Finsbury Park area of London. Once we had eaten there... we wouldn't eat anywhere else! The food is delicious and really good value for money. The host, Eddie, and his main man Jude, are great fun and superbly accommodating. It's like Eddie is on a mission to provide the best dining experience known to human-kind! And he goes quite some way to succeeding. Did I mention the drinks? No? Great choice of quality drinks too. Great food, great staff, great dining experience. Most highly recommended :-)))) Review by: Graeme & Chris, Liverpool.