San Carlo

I'm glad I read everyone else's reviews about the over familiar waiters, because I had a hard time convincing my boyfriend I hadn't been before when on my first time there the waiter came over, put his arm round me and said it was great to see me again. Its not the best Italian restaurant in Birmingham, its okay but I've had better.
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A. Callaghan
Sunday, August 19, 2007

My girlfrined and I live in London and she had arranged for a weekend away in Birmingham as a suprise. Knowing my love for good restaurants she booked San Carlos as supposedly the best Italian restaurant in the (2nd) city.

The interior is modern and stylish and looks the part, the food is also above average (proabably very good for Birmigham) however service is poor and probabaly would not return.

Three courses and a bottle of wine came to £100 which I think would have been reasonable had we not been rudely rushed and finished within 1 hour. Actually we had wanted 2 bottles of wine and maybe coffee, however not made to feel accomodated so passed.

No time between courses at all.

Waiters over fimiliar.

An expensive hour.

Food above average.

Matthew
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Thursday, July 26, 2007

We have just been to san carlo for a friends birthday , it was very busy and the sevice was a little slow the food was very good but a bit pricey,

We have also been to a new restaurant in Paradise Place called La Vita ( opposite the yardbird ) very similar but not quite as expensive well worth a visit.
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Saturday, April 28, 2007

My husband and I have dined at San Carlo 3 or 4 times and I found our last visit very disappointing. We were rushed, waiters was just a little too familiar and the food is not what it used to be. I was also charged the same amount of money for a glass of wine that was quite obviously smaller than my husband's and, despite what the waiter said, was not full! Disappointing.
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Deirdre Sweeney
Friday, March 09, 2007

I'm Italian and live in Birmingham. I'm looking for a good pizza in town, and I'm afraid I didn't find it at San Carlo. I can't say anything regarding the rest of the menu though, it looks interesting. I don't know if I will be going back, didn't really like the atmosphere of this restaurant. The rest of the staff was OK.
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Stefano
Saturday, March 03, 2007

San Carlo

Well, what can I say about this exclusive Italian Restaurant in the centre of Birmingham only 5 minutes walk from New St Station?

Outstanding – NO that’s no the word that springs to mind, from the moment I walked in the door, and had to wait whilst the chap on the door, (who was there to deal with customers entering), chatted to a delivery driver. What beggars disbelief is that then he was going to walk off to do something connected to the delivery, if I hadn’t have stopped him. Now I don’t wish to appear snobbish to delivery drivers because they do an outstanding job and where would we be without them. But the chap on the door should have at the very least acknowledged us and stated he would only be a moment, but did he? NO.

In this instance two wrongs definitely don’t make a right.

So we were finally shown to a table cramped up almost in the corner. A waiter came straight away to ask us what we wanted to drink, nice to be there so quick, but please give me a chance to look at the menu first.

We ordered drinks and they came shortly after. When we ordered food and the waiter appeared to be the owner, he looked at us in a most derogatory fashion and felt compelled to pronounce the food we ordered in Italian. Whilst my Italian is not bad it was nothing compared to his, but he did not have to ram that down my throat as though I was a child. The food came out and was attempted to be served to the table next to us, then it went back to the kitchen and I would swear the same food then came out to us, as no one else around us had ordered the same as we had.

What can I say about the food; well it was cooked well and tasted wonderful. A real treat to the palate.

Now the thing is when I go to a restaurant I expect it to be all about service and food, to me it’s the whole experience and based on this I’m afraid it gets a thumbs down from me.

Did I mention the mess the toilet was in or the surly attitude of the chap downstairs who gave me directions, NO best not to…

In short......

Probably one of the poshest restaurants I’ve been to. The wine was wonderful, and the food was excellent. The service was not brilliant (By the manager) but once he was out of the way it was fine.
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David Pittaway
Thursday, February 15, 2007

I've just read a summary of what this place has to offer and areview.

Neither are based in reality as far as my extensive experience of them is concerned.

San Carlo is without doubt the best restaurant in Birmingham.

Whatever criteria yoou use, Food, wine list,service.It is where my family and I always think of first to celebrate.
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Neil Bradley - View all reviews by this user
Friday, July 07, 2006

San Carlo is a little gem of a restaurant, hidden down a flight of stairs off Temple Street. Complementary olives and bread start off an evening of delicious, authentic Italian food. The restaurant is generally busy but the atmosphere is never over-crowded. Finish off with a sample from their list of liquers and other nightcaps.
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Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Paying top prices should get you cloth table cloths and napkins - at least. Both items were paper. Food was presented well but offered very poor value particularly when paying over £11 for a spaghetti main course sprinkeld with cockles and a few shrimps. They certainly pack you in here but that may have been the Friday night rush - so avoid Friday night if you want some comfort. Overall - too expensive for what you get.
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Saturday, February 04, 2006