Guiseppes

So much wonderful in this tiny little gem. Open late, a welcome site after visiting the the Shard at sunset. The staff are very friendly and there when you need them. The Bruschetta was perfect...warm, toasty bread and the perfect flavors. I wanted to try so many things, and settled on the lasagna. Best. Lasagna. Ever. Melty and gooey in the middle, just the right seasoning, and just enough crust on the edges. I was too stuffed to try anything else, but I would not hesitate to return for what will certainly be another treat.

Our waitress was very rude. The food was fair. We were hoping this was a diamond in the ruff with the limited number of reviews.

There are many good ITALIAN restaurants nearby. I am sure most people would find a better evening elsewhere.

I wish there was a 0 star rating. The food was mediocre at best, the waitress gave our child, who asked a simple question, major attitude, and they overcharged us. We'd have been better off at PizzaExpress.

It was fast, however this was the worst pizza I've ever had. It was extremely flavorless, salt less and soggy. The Tiramisu was super watery.

Great place. Wouldn't have found it unless yelp recommendations. Very good sea food with paprdella!!!

No Shard watcher am I. Resolutely unimpressed by the see through penis substitute despite the raving of friends. I am also unhappy watching the area change beyond recognition as the monied classes roll in. Don't get me wrong, the sympathetic gentrification of Bermondsey Street, led by local businesses such as Wolff & Tay, Pizarro and the Garrison is a 'good thing', but the tourist focussed homogenisation of places like Borough Market drives me mad.
Guiseppes, hidden away in a basement and accessed through a doorway in an alley under the shadow of the monolith (though that covers a pretty broad area to be fair), is resolutely old school. Guttering candles, faded Italian travel prints, roses on dark wobbling wood tables and an Italian troubadour most nights. This is the local Italian your parents remember.
Other than a glass of Montepulciano you could strip limescale with and some thankfully unproffered neon limoncello, it seems unadventurous but pretty decent. At less than a tenner for most mains it's reasonably priced too.
We scarfed bruschetta with zingy flavoursome tomatoes and a bundle of supermarket bagged salad followed swiftly by two big plates of passable pasta and sauce. There's nothing exceptional on the menu and barring a few specials on a chalkboard, no seasonal changes to a parade of old favourites. You won't find any of the art and guile of Zucca, Tinello, L'Anima or any of the modern Italians but given the £20 a head (inc drinks and service) price tag, we weren't too bothered. It's not that kind of place.
So Guiseppes. It's where you'd eat if your quick pint at the George spans into 2 or 3, you can't get a table at Brindisa but don't fancy wandering to Bermondsey Street.
And it's in a basement. Gentrify that. I dare you

fantastic old fashioned family style Italian restaurant. the location is in a basement but beautifully decorated. very homey. Live music is fantastic and makes a pleasant surprise to piped in CDs. Food is very good and the menu fairly broad. Bring a very empty stomach as the portions are huge! Decent wine selection as well as other bar drinks.