Pepe Sale in Reading

Busy, but that's always a good sign on a Saturday evening. Nice, varied menu. We only had main courses, so can't speak to starters or dessert. Good wine selection, but if you want a beer you're limited to the Peroni (reliably dreadful in any venue).

Pepe Sale will always have a special place for me and my husband as it was the place we came for our first date. However over the years we have tried to recreate that magic and sadly each time it's further away from the original charm we felt when we first went.I have to agree with other reviewers that it does seem to be going down. The food is tasty and authentic, using fresh ingredients but the portions are small and pricey. Even with the discount / theatre menu, with drinks, sides and service charge it adds upto be a very expensive meal out.The bread basket is shop bought baguette, 3 pieces for £2. A glass of coke is £3.We were advised to get a portion of veg on the side which was a small bowl of potatoes, green beans and undercooked broccoli. Not worth £4. Surely if you're paying £15-20 for a meat dish, it should come with veg?The service is good as in the staff mean well but 2-3 people took our order and if theres a lack of communication between them this tends to lead to mistakes, especially at busier times. It would be better for one waitress to be assigned to a table.I will continue to visit as I want to support small businesses and genuinely do like the food. But I do hope the owner takes these comments on board and brings back the spark.If they consider revamping the menu so it includes sides, playing some background music and having the staff rush around less, it could be the best Italian in Berkshire!

Incredibly expensive food for its content / size of portions. I went to this restaurant some years ago and it did not use to be so. I gather the new management is not as good. It is true prices went up recently, but not to this extent at every restaurant. Unfortunately this appears to be one of those where the value for money advantage has been lost...

This is an an amazing family run Italian restaurant. This was my first visit, but definitely not the last one. Staff is really friendly and helpful. We went in on Wednesday, so it wasn't busy at all. The food and atmosphere was incredible. Food was properly cooked and so delicious! Also not expensive. I can't highlight enough how great experience this was. Definitely coming back soon!

I really enjoyed my evening at Pepe Sale the service was excellent and the restaurant had a very warm and welcoming ambience. The food was absolutely delicious especially the seafood soup best Italian restaurant I have been too in the UK would highly recommend

The food was rich and textural and uses a whole palette of flavors. I loved it. But my loyalty goes to another Italian restaurant in London.

The Four of us had a fantastic meal last night, the service, food quality and atmosphere was one of the best we have experienced in Reading. Every request was dealt with efficiently and both of our fillet steaks were cooked to perfection. One of the wines that we like was discontinued and the owner recommended an alternative which was an amazing choice. The owner was charming and made us feel like we were the only diners in the restaurant. We have been for hundreds of meals in Reading and this restaurant has never let us down on any fronts. We will be booking again very soon.Thanks again for an amazing meal

I love Pepe Sale!! Now pretty much the only non chain restaurant left in the centre of Reading. Food is excellent and it always feels like it was cooked just for you.Deserves a more prominent location, but probably good for me if it stays a bit of a secret.

It does feel authentic but I didn't find the food to be top quality personally. A lively place but not much ambience for a date! it's quite bright in there, no candles, lots of tables stuffed together and some traditional if not slightly strange canvas art!

One of the best restaurants in Reading if you love good and real Italian food. I've been multiple times and can't wait to go again, their menu and selection is amazing, their portions are fairly generous but you never want your dish to end.Their duck with sultanas and honey and wine sauce is one of the best dishes I've ever had (considering I dont like sultanas or honey, this is how good they are at what they do), their salmon and safran pasta is magnificent, their tiramisu will make you want to eat 3 more, I've never been disappointed by any dish there. The service and prices are great too, you feel welcome and the staff make good recommendations for food and wine.I've taken multiple friends there and everyone loved it, I will keep bringing more friends because you can't live in Reading without going to Pepe Sale. If you're reading this review and wondering whether to go or not, just go, you won't regret it.