Cannelloni Cannelloni

Tube-shaped pasta filled with cheese and spinach, baked with tomato sauce and topped with melted mozzarella.

Al Parco Pizzeria

Al Parco Pizzeria

28 Parkway London, NW1 7AH, United Kingdom

Tea • Pizza • Cheese • Italian


"I've been coming to Bistro Laz and Al Parco (they share a building and also a kitchen, I believe) for as long as I can remember. Its been a family favourite restaurant for again, as long as I can remember. Every birthday, Special occasion meal, etc. We had here. I went back recently with a friend and I've got to say I was a bit embarrassed I sung their praises to him, and I think on this occasion the restaurant fell short. The food was as amazing as always, and the wait staff were very nice, friendly, and helpful. BUT, they had none of the mid level or cheaper wines in stock, and we had to buy a £70 or 80£ bottle, the bottle which admittedly was a very nice bottle was originally more and they did discount it though which was nice, but overall still annoying as we didn't expect to spend more than £30 or 40 on wine. But more annoyingly the food didn't arrive for a very, very long time. So much so that it seemed like they forgot about us. Admittedly, the restaurant was very busy when we were there, but the service speed was still, in my opinion too slow. Otherwise, Bistro Laz was great as ever. Like I said, the food was brilliant, and reasonably priced. The lamb cutlets with mash, and the large prawn starters are superb. Or if you want a great pizza order from the Al Parco menu. I'll give them 4 stars just because I love them and the food so much but they need to keep their wine in stock and either work on service speed, or keep diners informed so its clear they're not forgotten."

Sizlers Italian Restaurant

Sizlers Italian Restaurant

18 Shrewsbury Walk Isleworth London, TW7 7DE, United Kingdom

Thai • Pizza • Asiatic • Italian


"The food was of excellent quality and very authentic. However, the service was subpar, as the waiting staff were not particularly attentive. For instance, one of my guests follows a gluten-free diet and informed the waitress of her allergy. She ordered the chicken liver, but it was served with gravy. When she asked if there was flour in the gravy, the more senior waiter confirmed that there was. My guest then began discussing with another guest, who had ordered a rib-eye steak, the possibility of swapping dishes. The waiter overheard their conversation and must have recognised the awkwardness of the situation, yet did not offer to rectify it. Discreetly, I approached the waiter and asked if the chicken liver could be served without the gravy, but he insisted that the dish would not taste right without it. I explained that my guest really wished to have the chicken liver without the gravy and offered to pay for a replacement if necessary. As the waiter agreed my guest returned the dish (untouched), yet I was still charged for both meals. Despite this, we left satisfied, as the staff were generally friendly and I did offer to pay for the replacement! However, in most restaurants, the dish would have been replaced, especially given that my guest had specified her inability to eat gluten. The price was reasonable for eight guests, even though I paid for ten mains, along with some starters and desserts."

Al Dente

Al Dente

139 Easter Road Edinburgh, EH7 5QA, United Kingdom

Pasta • Italian • Mediterranean • Traditional Italian


"It was a quiet Monday night as we rolled up to Al Dente on Easter Road, a tiny Italian restaurant that sits unassumingly half-way down Easter Road. You’re instantly drawn to the Ospitalia Italiana gold award proudly stamped into its façade; in my experience, these less glamourous eateries always turn out to be a winner. There’s an open kitchen, and chef/owner Graziano is gabbing away in his native tongue to a friend. On entering, he is swiftly out to greet us, alongside our waitress for the evening. The Italian excitedly takes us through today’s specials and retreats back behind the stove. My starter tonight is warm-baked Apulian potato tart with cured meat and mozzarella £5.30), with Sarah going for ‘Sautee de pesce’ priced at £6.80. The dining room is immediately awash with the wonderful aromas of garlic and white wine, and with one large breath drawn in, Sarah boldly states “Mmmm, it doesn’t get better than that”. She might be right. Her dish comes out first and I was glad to see just a simple plate of mussels, calamari, prawns, clams, and a decent chunk of good bread to soak us those juices. The last time we ordered this in a restaurant the shellfish were full of grit; thankfully, this chef has given his produce the respect it deserves, and that respect extends to the cooking of it – simple, but effective, the way it should be. My dish was equally as good: quality ham, gooey cheese, crunchy top and potatoes with a slight bite to them – a dish most suited to this cold winter evening. Another couple of Italian gentlemen entered the restaurant and the banter between chef and customer flowed. It’s a definite indicator of authenticity when fellow countrymen dine in such restaurants, and a far cry from the more generic offerings that lie over on Leith Walk. I opted for one of the specials in the form of pork loin with gorgonzola, honey, and roasted vegetables £14.80). This plate is never going to win any awards for presentation, but its rusticity wasn’t without"