Posted Monday, April 7, 2008
Visited Friday 4th April. We were very disappointed with our food. The starters were ok - we had mussels, and a very generous portion of risotto. For main courses - 3 of us had different steak dishes (1 rossini, 1 pepe and 1 rib eye), 2 were requested medium and 1 rare. When these arrived they were all cooked well done and tasted dry, like they'd been cooked for hours.  Also, all of the dishes (including the 4th dish - lamb shank) seemed to come in exactly the same sauce (looked and tasted exactly the same!). For £18-20 per main course we were expecting a lot better than this.  The waiter claimed that they steaks were rare/medium when they came out of the pan, but the chef must have kept them in the hot sauce for 1 minute too long! I have cooked fillet steak many times, and this is complete nonsense. I will not be going back to this restaurant and would not recommend it at all.
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Lucy

Posted Thursday, April 3, 2008
I took my wife for her birthday dinner at Da Corrado 31/03/08,the service was good ,the food was really nice also, I would recommend it though and i will be back
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Mr Bell

Posted Thursday, December 20, 2007
Restaurant improved in my opinion since change of ownership. Ate there last week and the food, service etc was excellent and also good value. If I were to criticise anything, it would be the ambience. The lighting is too harsh and I think if it were subdued and a few candles on the tables, it would make all the difference. Otherwise - excellent.
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Suzanne, Solihull

Posted Monday, July 2, 2007
I visited De Corrados a few months ago but I wasn't exceptionally impressed, the presentation wasn't there and it seemed plain and it doesn't seem like any effort was put into it. However, a friend of a friend told me that a chef called Drew Jarvis started working there who I have heard is an incredibly talented chef, so I decided to revisit to compare or see if any changes had occurred. Let me just say, I was pleasantly surprised! The presentation was excellent and must have taken some preparation and careful planning. The food was of very high quality and the attention to detail, especially with starters and my dessert, was very pleasing and made up for my past visit! Overall, the whole experience was better than the last time I was there. I really liked the relaxed atmosphere in the bar aided by the staff and the decor was much more to my taste. The food was excellent and I would definitely recommend a visit and I shall be returning soon, thanks to my friend for recommending I go back. I may treat her to dinner there as a thanks!
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K B

Posted Tuesday, June 12, 2007
As a family we have visited this restaurant for over 30 years. When the restaurant was taken over from the long standing owners we went and were slightly disappointed as the atmosphere was gone with the modern decor, however the food was good. We have just visited the restaurant (May 2007) and there are a new set of owners. The bar has been extended and the whole place looks very clean but again the old atmosphere was not there, the pop music playing was very annoying, a far cry from memories of the waiters playing violins. The pasta starters were OK but the real disappointment was with the mains. We ordered 4 fillet steaks with a brandy and pepper sauce, 2 medium, 2 medium-rare. All arrived well-done! There was no trace of brandy or peppercorns in the sauce with was too strong and totally artificial. The potatoes were cold, no warmish but cold! The rest of the veg was OK. We all had coffee and one of us ordered the white chocolate mouse which they had ran out of, amazing considering the place was half full. In the end we paid the bill (£160) and vowed never to step foot inside again. Many of our extended family were waiting to see how our experience went before they booked a table, it was a real disappointment compared to the great memories we have of the place.
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R Garrat

Posted Monday, April 30, 2007
Who ever says this restaurant lacks the spirit of italy is very wrong. since being taken over at christmas this has got to be the best place to dine by far. It has a very warm welcome and good service. It has a fantastic menu with a good selection. The staff are very friendly and make you feel very welcome. If you want that something special this is the place to go.
Quality Service Value
Gearge

Posted Tuesday, April 17, 2007
My partner and I booked a last minute meal out on a Friday night and were lucky to get a table.  We both had a really lovely evening, the meal was delicious and the service was excellent. The staff are very friendly and attentive.  Not only would we go again together, but I am taking a friend there tonight!
Quality Service Value
Audrey

Posted Monday, March 26, 2007
After reading some of the reviews below I was not sure what was I was going to get! I booked up to go on a Thursday evening for a birthday and have to say the meal was one of the nicest I have ever had. The service was not bad although has to wait a for about half an hour for the bill and it was not a busy evening!  Really surprised at some of the bad comments about Da Corrado's as I will be going back again soon!
Quality Service Value
Brad, Solihull

Posted Monday, September 11, 2006
Working away from home I stumbled upon the restaurant with a colleague. The menu is superb, with an additional wide range of specials. I eat out all over the country and I just wish this was nearer to home. Service was excellent and a good choice of wines. It is not the cheapest but it is top quality and "real" Italian rather than the pizza and spaghetti bolognaise brigade. I shall turn off the motorway to eat their pecially next time I am passing.
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Martin P

Posted Monday, September 4, 2006
The mix of comments below can only prove one theory - there are two Da Corrado restaurants! Last week, my partner and I decided to take the plunge and visit the restaurant to form our own opinion. The staff reminded me of an upper class McDonalds - strained politeness, but almost scripted in it's lack of warmth. Our request for house wine was almost contemptuously taken, and the wine delivered with casual indifference, almost spilling when plonked onto the table. The menu was only vaguely Italian and read more like a pub grub menu - I almost expected to see Scampi alla Chips. I chose the steak, and to be fair it was a beautiful bit of filet, cooked to perfection, but my parner had a pasta dish which may just as well have come from Tesco's packet. Considering their high-end prices, we were incredibly disappointed. Had the meal cost me less than a tenner in a pub, I would have been happy - but spending £85 for two, I expect much much more. I'm afraid I am unable to recommend this restaurant in the light of far superior and much cheaper competition.
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Simon

Posted Monday, August 21, 2006
We have been coming to Da Corrado's for years. Our daughter and partner took us out for a surprise meal Saturday 19th August and as always the food and service were second to none.  Because this restaurant is so popular I would recommend booking a few weeks in advance, you won't be disappointed.
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Favourite Meal: Just about everything on the menu
Jo and John

Posted Monday, August 21, 2006
I found our experience rather average at this restaurant. It had a limited menu which is usually a good sign, but only 4 pasta dishes? The food is well cooked and well presented, but is more a nod to Italian rather than being Italian. The rest of the menu was rather middle of the road. The house wine was not very nice and was glugged into our glasses by our waiter as though he knew it was inferior and despised our choice. Since a house wine should be the recommendation of the house, I'd expected better. The service was quick and attentive, but our side order was forgotten and our bill at the end contained somebody elses pre dinner drinks. The waitress was very pleasant, but our overall feeling was that there was a lack of atmosphere and we didn't feel like sitting back and relaxing there. However, I must say that they do a very good Irish coffee which is rare in this age of spray foam cream. I also felt the meal was rather overpriced.
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Helen


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Highly Recommended

Posted Friday, April 21, 2006
We had our wedding reception at the Da Corrado on 27th Sept 1969 shortly after it had opened. We were treated like royals and the service helped to make it a day we will never forget.
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Roger & Maureen Kempson

Posted Thursday, April 20, 2006
Enjoyed a relaxed and excellently served evening meal here a couple of weeks ago. On arrival we perused the menu in the bar while relaxing with a drink.  The food was perfectly cooked and nicely presented.  Returned to try the lunch menu today and was just as impressed.  The lunch menu of the day offered excellent value at £5 per course (the main menu was also available).  Staff very friendly and welcoming.  Nice atmosphere, fairly busy in the evening but pretty laid back for lunch.
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Favourite Meal: Beef steak, wild mushrooms & Parma ham with a chianti jus
Debbie

Posted Tuesday, March 28, 2006
I have visited the restaurant for my birthday and my partners birthday, the service is always fantastic as is the food. I would definitely recommend. As would my parents who lived in the area 20  years ago and visited the restaurant when it was opened.
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Joanne, Solihull

Posted Monday, December 5, 2005
I was very surprised to read some of the reviews.  Obviously all I can go by is my experience and that was excellent.  I am a wheelchair user and the staff were exceptionally helpful and friendly.  9/10 for the service and the food.  Nice, relaxed atmosphere.
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S. Reynolds

Posted Thursday, September 15, 2005
Regardless of the adverse comments, we tried this restaurant and had a very good meal with first-class service. Will definitely go again.
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Joan

Posted Wednesday, July 20, 2005
Had a very enjoyable meal. Main course was delicious. Could not fault the service. Prices not cheap but this is not Pizza Hut. Would definitely recommend to anyone thinking of giving it a try.
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Phil

Posted Thursday, June 2, 2005
Do you get the impression someone from the competition is trying to ruin the reputation of this great restaurant. Some of the comments below are bizarre. We have been there loads and have never had poor service or food.  The food is not cheap but you get what you pay for.  Highly recommended
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Rob

Posted Wednesday, May 25, 2005
After seven weeks of trying to get a menu sent to me in Essex (I am trying to arrange a surprise 65th for my mom) I have given up.  Rude staff, promises not kept - goodness knows what a disaster it would have been on the day.  We were talking about 40 meals plus children - do they not need the business?  Phoned somewhere else and received menus by return. 
Service:
Favourite Meal: Not got that far!!
Julia

Posted Friday, May 20, 2005
Went to this awful place last year after a 15 year gap.  It was at least as bad as I remembered, if not worse.  Soggy flavourless fish, overcooked veg, iffy service.... I could go on and on.  The whole experience was thoroughly disagreeable.  I am at a loss to know why it enjoys a good reputation with some local people.... It's like turning the clock back 30 or 40  years to the very worst of ripoff "Italian" restaurants when we didn't know any better.  Nowadays there is plenty of choice in this area of good restaurants/pubs/bistros in the area nowadays..... do not bother with this dire establishment. 
Favourite Meal: Oh please.....
B

Posted Friday, May 6, 2005
Having tried several times to make a reservation for Saturday night I was successful in getting one.  What a disappointment!  We booked for 9.30pm, our order wasn't taken until 10.05, seated at 10.35!  Food bland & tasteless.  My lamb shank must have been mutton based on the size & texture.  Gravy one lump or two!! V. slow service, miserable waiting staff.  Never again!
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JD

Posted Wednesday, April 13, 2005
Some of these commands utterly slander the restaurant and after receiving superb food and excellent friendly service I wanted to offer it some support. It really is one of the best traditional italian restaurants I have been to.
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Rhodes

Posted Monday, April 11, 2005
Awful, not at all what I was hoping on our first and last visit.
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Favourite: none
Linda

Posted Tuesday, January 25, 2005
We went there on a Saturday night with a group of friends and were very impressed.   Very friendly service and the food was excellent.  Only small gripe would be that we all ordered Fillet Steak and asked for it to be cooked medium.  It was more well done to be honest but the quality was excellent so no one grumbled!  Not cheap but you pay for the quality.  Highly recommended
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Favourite Meal: Fillet Steak
Steve

Posted Thursday, November 25, 2004
Terrible food, cold unpleasant surroundings, we had heard good things about this restaurant & brought some friends there on our first (& certainly our last) visit. We have since repeatedly apologised to them for inflicting that evening on them.
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Sandra

Posted Friday, October 15, 2004
Having lived in Solihull for 35 years I am familiar with this restaurant from before and after refurbishment/change of management.  Four of us went for Sunday lunch 2 weeks ago and were astonished by the beautiful decor and tasteful furnishings.  The food was excellent and as one of our party was vegetarian we were delighted that he had as much choice as we did.  This restaurant is excellent in all respects and I sincerely hope it continues to enjoy the success it deserves.
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Favourite Meal:  All excellent
T

Posted Monday, August 23, 2004
I had my wedding reception there in 1971,,,Mario was there then and Bruno the head waiter....everything was perfect....32 years later I took my son and his Italian fiancée there to celebrate their engagement...perfect again...over the  years I have been back for various celebrations and always found a warm welcome, friendly staff, good service and excellent food.
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Favourite Meal: Not a favourite ..I love all Italian food...
Kate

Posted Thursday, June 24, 2004
I have not been to this restaurant and will also not be going.  I had been trying to organise a meal for managers at work and called to see the availability for the evening, I got a stern voice on the phone, not very pleasant at all.  I told them i wanted to book a party in on the date intended and he disappeared for about 5 minutes, leaving me waiting, then he came back and said yes as though it was a hassle.  He never asked how many people or time and was just about to put the phone down when i had to prompt conversation to organise something.  I asked for a menu to be faxed and he just blatently said NO!  He then said that he wanted a deposit of £10 a head, have you ever heard anything like it.  There were 17 people attending the meal, that is £170 in deposits.  I politely told him i thought that was far to expensive, so he proceeded to tell me that i had to come in to the restaurant and take a look at the menu and that he was not budging on the deposit.  Well i would just like to let them know that we normally spend around £1000 when the management go out and that is what they have just lost out on, the whole experience was not friendly and i shall not be returning.
***

Posted Friday, June 11, 2004
Having looked at these reviews they seem to have got worse rather than better.  Yet Da Corrado's car park is always full.  Not sure if I want to risk the special birthday party here for my daughter though. I have not heard of anyone who has been so looked at these comments for help.
hdaw

Posted Thursday, May 20, 2004
The restaurant was much better before the refurbishment. It certainly is not the same as it was, not as cosy, friendly as not the same atmosphere. We waited for a very long time for a table and for our food, the restaurant is much more cramped and it was overcrowded. Too much hussle and bussle unlike the good old days. Disappointed really as I regarded this restaurant as one of the best.
Favourite Meal: Spag bol
Sarah

Posted Friday, May 14, 2004
 Perhaps the management of the restaurant would be kind enough to inform us of which accolades/awards have been given. I'm not aware of Da Corrado having been recognised by the AA, the RAC and certainly not the Michelin Red Guide. I had the unfortunate experience of visiting the  place a couple of years ago and it was probably the most dire meal I've ever eaten. Do yourself a favour; buy some dried penne and a can of tomatoes from the nearby Tesco and make something at home. You can be sure that it will be infinitely more tasty than the offerings you'd get from this appalling restaurant.
Neville Mundy

Posted Friday, May 7, 2004
 Awful.  Kept waiting for our table for 45 minutes passed the booked time. Too many tables squeezed in.  Wine glasses on the table were filthy.  The waiter seemed to give the impression that we were a pain for asking for clean ones!  Food mediocre.  VERY over-hyped.
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Favourite: No thanks
Simon

Posted Friday, April 23, 2004
Like the last poster, we had a rare evening out with the assistance of a baby-sitter. First impressions were good, and I have no real complaints about the service, or even the atmosphere. The food was pretty awful though. My wife had a mixed fish dish for starters, which clearly had slices of fish taken straight from their supermarket packets. I had spaghetti carbonara which was watery and just not very tasty. Bizarre experience of the evening must, however, go to the waiter offering me chips to accompany my pasta!
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Nick

Posted Thursday, April 22, 2004
Having heard from so many other people in Solihull that this restaurant was worth a visit we used our very rare night of babysitting to pay a visit.  To say I was disappointed is an understatement.  The ambience was dreadful, the food was clearly reheated and we will not be going again.
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Stephanie

Posted Tuesday, April 12, 2004
I've visited Da Corrado's for many years, as have my parents and my dad's parents. We have never had a problem, as I'm sure Trevor Francis would tell you from when he used to visit. Da Corrado is very nice, from reading the comments below maybe complacency had set in. However, I'm sure I shall return again soon!
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L

Posted Wednesday, April 7, 2004
Recently visited Da Corrado and had a wonderful evening, food excellent, as was the service. The refurbishment was a long time coming, but it couldn't be better. Well worth a visit since it's exchanged hands.
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Favourite Meal: Pasta and steak
Jo

Have to agree with the last review,  we went expecting to spend the evening but were in & out in just over an hour, after having mediocre food fired at us. I got the impression they wanted to use the table again. I think the Portway Italian (Alcester Rd) is far better, food, service & atmosphere.
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Gail

Posted Monday, March 29, 2004
Have to agree with the last review,  we went expecting to spend the evening but were in & out in just over an hour, after having mediocre food fired at us. I got the impression they wanted to use the table again. I think the Portway Italian (Alcester Rd) is far better, food, service & atmosphere.
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Gail

Posted Friday, March 12, 2004
Not impressed - surly service - overcooked food - frozen chips!!!. Went expecting to linger over a long meal. 3 courses completed and out in an hour. I won't be back.
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Posted Monday, January 12, 2004
Any sense of balance here?
I was hoping to book for an anniversary but these reviews go from 'Awful' to 'Best In West Midlands' and 'Rude' to 'Brilliant' staff, you pays your money I guess.
Favourite: traditional 'trat' as long as well served
Gerry T
"Any sense of balance here?" well I would say this page would be unbalanced if it contained only good or bad reviews. We would like to only have good reviews but that would be unacceptable in an unbiased forum such as this.
You will note that there is actually only one bad review for this restaurant and NINE good ones. please do not be put off from visiting Da Corrado's yourself and let us know your opinion having done so.
Ian Sill

Posted Saturday, January 10, 2004
I think I must have gone on a bad day, looking at the other reviews. I went for my 21st birthday and the food was simply awful. Canned soup warmed up, frozen veg, rude service. Rubbish! I was told how wonderful the place was before I went, but it was terrible. And I am not particularly fussy.
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Favourite: None
Jonathan Turner

Posted Tuesday, January 7, 2003
A nice restaurant but the menu was not as exciting as I thought it would be.
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Ifti

Posted Saturday, November 23, 2002
The best Italian restaurant in the world!!! Very friendly staff, superb menu and a lovely atmosphere. If you go for 1 meal out this year, go here.
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Favourite: Scampi pizziola (starter) , veal for main course
Paul Ford

The menu at Da Carrado is both extensive and eclectic, offering a wide range of superbly cooked dishes. Main courses are simple, not over-embellished, yet delicious in the true spirit of traditional simplicity.
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Favourite Meal - Lamb
J D Shore

First time was a great experience- service food, surroundings - great.
Second time I felt a bit claustrophobic as they sat us very close to others in a small room.  Best to go in a group and specify your table. Great food and portions.
Mike

Absolutely fantastic traditional Italian restaurant with consistently delicious food and warm, friendly service.
Jane Fellowes

My family have been using this place since It was opened 24 years ago.
The food is traditional, the staff (especially the Italian ones) are brilliant.
It's all fresh. Well it's always tasted that way! I'll be going back again.
Amanda

The best Italian restaurant by far in the West Midlands. I have never had a bad meal and the staff are very friendly. I have recommended Da Corrado's to most of my family and friends.
Jane

Excellent food, service and atmosphere.
John Dagnall

Da Corrado restaurant has provided superb cooking and excellent service for many years now. It is probably the most popular Italian restaurant around.
Mike Hill

This page is part of the Solihull Online Restaurant Guide and is not connected with any of the restaurants listed.