La Partenope

Comments for La Partenope (96 Dalry Road, Edinburgh)

1. tommy b, pathhead, midlothian – 3 May 2008, 7:00pmReport

seafood was good but wasn't struck at all by the charm and was told that there wasn't children's portions. Despite me asking twice for the price I was told that a small marguerita pizza for my 10 year old son would be 'not very much' ie waiter couldn't seem to be bothered to go and get the menu. When bill came in at £6.10 for the pizza he said 'that is cheap'. The guy obviously doesn't have kids and didn't really give a toss that I felt I had been misled.

2. A.F-A – 3 May 2008, 10:27pmReport

tommy b -
you want to make good points - (......and your comments relate to children) - so why include t*** unless you want to discuss salads!

3. disappointed local, Dalry – 31 July 2008, 1:46pmReport

I have eaten here several times over the last few years and generally found it good however after a recent visit I was very disappointed.
I had arranged to visit on a recent Friday night with a party of four and after numerous requests for the "normal" menu which is on display in front of the restaurant I was told that this menu was not available at weekends-only the "Specials" one was on (I suspect they are contravening the Trade Descriptions Act)
Needless to say the "Specials" menu had most items at twice the price of the normal one & I found this frustrating. In the past I have been able to mix & match from the specials & the normal one but this time I was left feeling duped. Additionally up until recently I noticed that their house wine Multipulchiano (approx £14) is the one exact same available for sale at the nearby Lidl (for £2.98) . Me thinks the proprietors have become rather too greedy........I will not be returning again

4. C C, eh43tb – 8 August 2008, 10:46pmReport

We was visit to La Partenope on last Thursday night, We see a famous T V presenter with he friends, after they leave, I just a nosey, I ask the staff, what the T V presenter eat? the staff told me ( they come for dinner at 5pm with three people, after he leave for a few hour, he came back,on the same night with more people, seven of them, he also write visit book for la partenope. )Wow !! it was a fantastic place,presentation of the food is very high standard, this little restaurant among the best five in town,very good food,I would highly recommend.

5. anna mc, dalry – 17 May 2009, 4:32pmReport

I've visited Lapartenope a few times over the years and while I excused my last experience there as perhaps just an 'off night', after last evenings dinner I am sad to report the place is definitely in decline. From the burnt bruscetta which was distinctly lacking in any garlicy flavour and instead heaped with cold straight from the jar oily vegetables.. to the disappointing seafood platter, I left feeling the restaurant very unsatisfied (and significantly poorer!). The lobster was rubbery, the scallops didn't taste fresh and the sea bass and tuna were indistinguishable. My partner had the meat platter which didn't fare better. The only taste sensation of the night was the Italian Sausage,other than that there was not a thing to write home about and over priced for what it was. Certainly the house red was over priced and the ambience was lacking a little with a strange choice of distinctly non italian music. Where did those lovely fairy lights go?
Staff were pleasant enough, service quick and we received a complimentary half measure Lemon cello before we left so I can't say they didn't try but for the amount we paid it was an over all disappointing experience.

It's a real shame as they started off so well all those years ago but I wont be going back again.

6. Annoyed - Edinburgh, East Edinburgh – 15 November 2009, 2:04pmReport

As per a previous post and similar to warnings I had received from friends who have previously visited, I feel La Partenope's approach to their available menu's is at best questionable, at worst downright dishonest.
We had been looking forward to visiting the restaurant for a long time, and was advised by a colleague to be wary, as they will try and only give you the specials menu.
On arrival, we were sheperded to the non eating side of the restaurant and presented with the wine list and a specials menu and what was referred to as the "weekly menu". I assumed that this was in effect the a la carte menu, however it appeared expensive.
Having ordered and taken our seats in the actual restaurant, it was obvious the warnings had been correct. At least two nearby tables were eating Pizza, which did not appear enywhere on either menu we were given. In addition, it was obvious that one table was clearly "regulars" as unlike ourselves, they were given their menu's at the actual table they would be eating at.
The food was a mixed bag - my cold meats starter was average, whilst the sauteed seafood main course was very good. My wife's scallops were average, whilst she thought her courgette and artichoke pasta from the weekly menu was overpriced at > £10. She said it was nothing that we couldn't have prepared at home for a fraction of the cost.
We asked for the bill and waited 20 minutes and eventually had to go and ask for it, and found another customer making a complaint along the same lines. We were given our coats and asked for a taxi as given the length of time it had taken to NOT get the bill, we had missed our last train.
The waiter asked if I would like to leave a gratuity to which I advised no and proceeded to explain my unhappiness. It was apparent that this isn't the first complaint of it's type as he knew immiediately what I was about to say. He proceeded to advise that there was an a la carte menu, but this is for people who have just come off the street - we had booked and he wanted to give us the best. In a rather patronising manner, he said that Pizza or Carbonara is the type of "Italian" we would expect in the restaurants further into town i.e. they are not as good as La Partenope. He also suggested if this is what we wanted, we should have asked. I replied that, as the customer, you expect to be given all options up front without having to ask.
He also suggested that as a Neapolitan restuarant the emphasis was on seafood, but his suggestion that they do not do Pizza was a little strange given the fact that this originates from Naples.
Ultimately, a bitterly disappointing visit to this restaurant. These underhand attempts to fleece customers will quickly become common knowledge. No way to treat paying guests in a credit crunch

7. Kate.G – 22 February 2010, 10:56amReport

My boyfriend and I have visted La Partenope on numerous occasions and have always found the food and service to be of an excellent standard. The staff and atmosphere are friendly, relaxing and homely whilst maintaining a formal standard. The food is excellent, especially the wonderful fresh seafood and the gorgeous homemade desserts. Lots of lovely choices, catering for virtually every need. The prices are very reasonable, one could not hope to find a better or more authentic Neapolitan restaurant in Edinburgh!

8. C C, Edinburgh – 2 March 2010, 10:02pmReport

I have a beautiful evening in La Partenope restaurant...... 14_2_2010 valtine day....that evening was very busy . food was { EXCELLENT } La Partenope the foods just Delicious. and something very nice form the owner , I have A big beautiful flower. Thank You

9. Scott N, Edinburgh – 2 March 2010, 10:43pmReport

I travel back and forth from Edinburgh to Glasgow quite a lot and happen to spot La Partenope on the way home.
I rarely go to the same place twice and i have been to many different italian resturants both in Edinburgh and Glasgow because i wanted something more authentic, and found La Partenope offers just that.
The first time me and my partner visited La Partenope was indeed a great experience, welcomed by friendly staff and was surprised how charming the atmoshere was. Once we were sat, the waiter informed us about their selection of seafood they had to offer. I went for "Pesce Del Giorno" and was cooked just right. I remember sitting a few meters away from the kitchen and you can smell all the food they were cooking and regretting not ordering a starter!
After a few visits (and many delicious homemade desserts later!), i know that we've found our "little corner of Napoli in Edinburgh!".

10. A Barclay, Edinburgh – 3 March 2010, 1:16amReport

My partner and I dined in La Partenope just before Christmas for the first time since moving to Scotland in November. We were very impressed with the food and the service.

We have been regulars in there every month since and i totally recommend it to anybody who likes nice Italian food in comfortable surroundings.

Having tried many of Edinburgh's so called "best" Italian restaurants this is by far our favourite. The other restaurants are totally over priced and the portions are nothing compared to this. It just goes to show you that if you shop around you will find your ideal restaurant.

Our candle lit dinner on Valentines day was 10 out of 10 and i feel so lucky to have a partner that totally agrees with me (for a change lol)!!

All in all a great restaurant!

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