Il Gattopardo, Westcliff on Sea

I hadnt been to Il Gattapardo before, and after reading the reviews of slow service and over priced food I was in two minds, but I booked a table and am glad I did.

The atmosphere is relaxed with unobtrusive music in the background, still allowing for good conversation. The restaurant was about half full when we arrived 9pm on a Friday night, there was a mixture of groups, couples and some children amongst it all.

We were promptly brought drinks and the menu, followed by bread rolls and butter to start. I think deciding what to order was the hardest part. I am a vegetarian but there was still a few dishes I was umming and arhhing over, decisions made we didnt have to wait long until the food arrived and it was delicious and the portions were generous.

Overall we had a very pleasant meal, with great service, just enough to make us feel attended to, but not pushy waiters! We will definitely be going back.

one of my favorite restaurant is il gattopardo,i go there at least 4 or 5 years frendly service bit expencive good food good music .

The food is the best in the area, the service and atmosphere is excellent & friendly. Best quality ingredients always used.

Went to this restaurant on Saturday evening in party of 10 to celebrate a milestone birthday. Service was diabolical. Had to ask for menus after waiting for 3/4 hour. We arrived at 8.30pm but did not get main meals until 10.45pm and the meals were cool and small portioned. Not a good experience. Prices for the standard of food was expensive. Total for the evening worked out at nearly 50.00 per head. Would not recomend this restaurant. There are many places in this area that are far better!

I wished i'd read these reviews before i went. our meal was for 8.30 it was gone 9pm before we got a menu to look at. they brought bread rolls round and missed 2 people off so they had to wait about 10 mins before the next batch was done. then our starter came up at 10pm. by this time every one had gone passed eating. our main meal was about 10.45. the service is absolutely diabolical. will not be going back there

I have never been moved to write a review about a restaurant before but I just have to after visiting Il Gattopardo on Saturday night 2 weeks ago. The restaurant was full usually a good sign!

I had scallops to start. £9 for 3 of the smallest tasteless scallops I have ever seen. Served with thick under cooked bacon, then for some bizarre reason covered in watery gravy and with large amount of 'Harvester style' salad. To top off this look, it was served on a yellow, red, blue and green plate. Lovely.

For a main course I had rack of lamb, which was okay but this cost £17, plus the cost of potatoes plus the cost of vegetables. It should be much more than okay for that. How come I can get a set menu at Marco's (Marco Pierre White) for £21.00 but I have to pay that for one course in southend?

All 7 other friends were equally unhappy with food.

Staff were very nice and helpful. Decor nice. Toilet flooding.

While this place might be classed as average from a general UK perspective, that average is a pretty low standard compared to our better restaurants worthy of praise. The food was very second rate. The service was slow, but that suited us, and they were accommodating. The wine selection is limited but enjoyble if you choose well (lucked out?, these are not from Italian producers you'd recognise or truly top notch). And having been told the tip wasn't included to find out later it wasn't, well that left the final sour taste in the mouth.

Visited the restaurant on a saturday evening, probably half full.

the food quality was dissapointing (starter returned, COLD) and no appology forthcomming, I presume this is a regular occurance.

Service was very slow, over 2 1/2 hours for 2 courses, we gave up the idea of a desert.

I will not be returning, not at these prices

I have eaten at il gatapardo on and off for the last 5 years, so probably about 30 times in total. The food is always consistently very good, not "stunning excellent" but always "very good", portion are a decent size, service is excellent, fairly good wine list. Great Restaurant for romantic nights, taking your mum, family lunch... its surprisingly refined for Southend. If I had any complaints at all it would be that sometimes the food seems a little "standard" and it's laking that pizazz ! But I always return that should say something.

As soon as we walked through the door we left westcliff behind . We were transported to what could of been ROME or PISA. The service was really good,the food 100% fresh and tasty.cannot reccommend it enough. on our way back there tonight in fact. 5 stars