Star Rating

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Mondragone 

25-27 Orford Road

Walthamstow 

London, E17 9NL   map

Tel 020 8503 6831

I've been to Mondragone twice now, and each time was a disappointment. The food is very low quality and the atmosphere uninspiring. The last time we went we tried their pizza, thinking maybe they did that well and it was just the entrees and starters that were no good. We had three different pizzas. My response: I would have preferred one of those Sainsbury's 'Taste The Difference' pizzas.

Amye
Posted 21st May 2010

I feel more positive about this restaurant, surprisingly spacious inside and in a nice location.
The food was decent and reasonably priced. The pizzas were a generous size, tasty and varied. A shellfish dish with pasta was brimming with seafood and very good.
We sat around a nice round table for 8 and were able to have a decent conversation without it being drowned out by loud music.
The minus points for me were:
There was a lack of atmosphere, even though a birthday celebration was catered for (dimmed lights, cake, cheers etc).
However, although I dislike a false and gushing service, I felt the staff could have been a little warmer. For quite a large restaurant, the one ladies' loo caused a queue...please note we need more loos!

I would go back though...couldn't really fault the food & wine.

Sue
Posted 23rd February 2009

Oh dear, I don't like to be negative but... I really can't see the attraction of this place, although many do. Having visited half a dozen times I now feel that the last time was indeed my last. The food is below average, pasta dishes are broadly tasteless, pizzas also bland. I have complained to staff members about the food and my comments have been met with scorn, which suggests complacency - probably due to the fact that Mondragone remains very popular. The last refurbishment has done nothing but increase prices with pizza and pasta now at £8 to £10.
Having been forced to go Mondragone a few times and eaten the blandest food I've tasted since my last visit to Whipps Cross, I foolishly decided to return one evening only to find the experience even less exciting. I plumped for a vegetarian lasagne, a choice which, I admit, would leave most people uninspired. However, this dish seemed to have been microwaved for a little too long as it took at least 10 minutes for me to be able to discover that it tasted no better than the an ASDA ready meal or maybe one of Kerry Catona's Icelandic treats.
My friend had a slightly more tasty dish of linguini with frozen prawns and a hint of garlic and dried parsley.
There was some excitement when on arrival we discovered Peroni, on draught. But when presented with the bill I realised I had paid £4.50 for a pint and £3.50 for a half. I questioned the price of the drinks and mentioned the fact that I was disappointed with the meal and was told by the owner the I was ''just miserable''. He was right, but not before I got there. Which begs the question. Why do people go to this place?

Aug 08