Donatello

Went to Brighton with my family, and this place ruined my day. Food medicocre at best! Nasty looks from the owner NEVER AGAIN!!!
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risla - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 1
Tuesday, September 28, 2010

pretty dull, mediocre food, pizza with very little topping. there are plenty of much better places to eat in Brighton
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Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 2
Sunday, September 05, 2010

Went there this weekend after my first visit on new years day... I took my friend on a wild goose chase through the laines looking for the restaurant with the toy soldier and teddy bear out the front as I couldn't remember the name but I remembered how much I loved the food.

Finally found it sans marionnette (only at christmas) and ordered from the special menu. I was chuffed to be paying the same amount for a three course meal that i would normally pay for a main elsewhere.

The restaurant filled up pretty quickly (bank holiday crowd) and it is a massive space so people were soon being asked to wait but the staff remained courteous and welcoming throughout.

I love Donatello's; the food is really good and if you choose well (aubegine parmagiana.... fiorentina pizza...ice-cream sundae...pina colada... coffee) you get more than value for money.

The service is good too... like I said it gets very busy and the waiting staff are rushed off their feet for the most part... i'm not royality and I don't expect to be waited on hand and food...so I didn't feel ignored or rushed just dealt with in an efficient effective and polite manner.

I love this place and will keep coming. Especially now I know the name!

Nice work guys!
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AJ
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Just been to Donatello.

Absolutely ghastly service. Slow, unfriendly and got even slower. Then they had the audacity to slap on a 10% service charge.

Just do not go there
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Ed Jones
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 2
Monday, August 16, 2010

Visited Sunday afternoon for a quick pre-football watching lunch. After being seated we found that there was a small cafe style area with a tv showing Sky Sports. Fantastic we thought so we asked our waitress if it would be ok to move tables and eat at a table nearer to the screen. 'No problem' she said so all 3 of us moved tables and joined a few others who were enjoying the game. Another waitress gave us menus so we ordered our 2 course lunches/drinks and sat back to enjoy the game.

Food was delivered to another couple sat at the next table - it looked good so couldnt wait for ours to arrive. 10 mins later, a waiter informed us that he was unable to serve food at our table. Surprised, we asked why. He gave no reason and just repeated his inability to serve food at our table and that he could re-seat us at an other appropiate table. The 'appropiate table' was away from the screen which didnt impress at all. We argued that were comfortable, had got permission before sitting down and that we had even ordered our lunch/drinks. We then pointed out that the table next to us had been served food. 'Oh thats the owner' he said. At this point the owner reiterated that no food would be served to us at our current table, even though he was tucking into his lunch!!

As someone who regularly eats out, I dont think I have ever been treated which such contempt by a resturant owner. Feeling very aggrieved we left and got food elsewhere, hoping that our food and drink order ended up in their bin.

It's not often that a perfectly polite and reasonable group of people get refused service after ordering food/drink in a resturant. Clearly he wanted to have the area exclusively for himself and sought to have us 'plebs' moved at any cost. Wont be going back if the owner feels its acceptable to belittle his customers so openly.
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James, Brighton
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Monday, May 10, 2010

Booked a table of twelve there for Saturday night. Waiter embarassed me right at the start by loudly refusing to split the bill two ways. 'If you want two bills eat at different tables at different times.'

Service was surly and poor. Waiters couldn't be bothered to bring glasses and cutlery to the seat, preferring to give it to one of our guests to pass it all down.

One of the meals was cold and had to be returned. The vegetables for one meal looked as though they had been rescued from the kitchen sink.

A 'service charge' was automatically added to the bill and I had no choice but to pay it.

If you want poor service and mediocre food - give it a go. I will not be eating there again.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 5
Monday, April 19, 2010

Visited Brighton and wanted a place that served pizza as the little un was insistent. Chap on the door was very welcoming and walking to our table noticed a host of celebrities dined there - Pete and Katie Price, Michelle Collins, even Joan Collins adored the walls - looking good so far - but unfortunately they was the only positives from a very poor and disappointing experience.

Shown to our tables and literally that was it, then a waiter turned up 10 minutes later and said 'ready?' Was not expecting a 5 star experience but how about a hello, let me recommend this, do you want a drink etc?

Really strange though, mediocre food, rude and incompetent staff yet people still turn up in their droves. Perhaps expectations are not that high for Pizza and Pasta in Brighton as people are spolit for choice with the lovely seafood?

Do not go here.
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Nick
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 5
Sunday, April 11, 2010

Entered late on a busy night without a reservation, and were treated very specially. Nothing was too much trouble. We ordered from the a la carte menu a meal that was also on a special deal, and we were charged the lower price. Excellent minestrone and fabulous baked tortellini. My partner's escalope was to die for! Though we were almost the last to leave there was time to savour a wonderful cappuchino, the best in Brighton. Excellent service and real atmosphere, will make a point of returning next trip. First class restaurant!
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kenny corris
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, April 04, 2010

I would like to thank Rob and all the staff for making our visits just so relaxing and enjoyable as my boyfriend and I eat here at least twice a week. We have tried lots of restraunts in Brighton and a year ago we found this fantastic place the service is excellent along with the staff and of course the food. We just love having a meal here as the staff are so friendly and the atmosphere is just so relaxing and we actually look forward to going for a meal and have enjoyed lots of different dishes. We are hoping to have our wedding meal here in September. We have recommended lots of people and every one has throughly enjoyed it and are now regulars.
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Geraldine O''Keeffe
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, March 13, 2010

Went to Brighton yesterday with my husband and son (his 20th birthday). Just wanted a decent pizza, pizza express packed so thought we'd support a local business. Very busy, waited about 10 minutes. Surprised when I looked at the (rather grubby) menu how cheap it was, chose the 2 courses for £6.95. First course, mushrooms in garlic and butter ok, but limp lettuce leaf and tomato garnish a bit sad. Vegetarian pizza the worst I've ever had, hard base I couldn't get my knife through, not much topping, a few slices of green pepper and dry slices of aubergine on top, didn't want to make a complaint as it would have spoiled the birthday. Also didn't like the fact they included 10% service charge in bill, cos I wouldn't have paid it if there had been an option. Shame.
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Jackie Andrews
Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 2
Monday, February 08, 2010