"If you have ever been to Italy you will recognise Oregano as being authentic in every respect- the interior and table decorations are plain and decidedly un-fancy, but don't let the plastic table covers stop you from getting the best Italian food in Islington. Everything about this place transports me to Florence; The wine is served in dinky tumblers, the beers are Italian brands such as Nastro Azzuro, the staff are all Italian born and bred, the bread basket contains grissini in plastic packaging, and the food Oh the food The pizzas- out of this world. Proper wood fired thin crust pizzas with top quality produce on them; from the home-made tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella to the chargrilled peppers and various meats used, everything is fresh, delicious and so vastly superior to the usual pizzas we get unceremoniously flung at us in this country that it's a wonder any of the other pizza purveyors in Islington are still in business- I guess being tucked down an alleyway and looking rather unimposing means Oregano is a well kept secret. As for the rest of the menu, everything is incredible. The pasta is made fresh on the premises and comes with authentic Italian sauces such as the knee-knockingly delicious ragu. The steaks are chargrilled and huge, the fish is fresh and light- I challenge anyone to go here and not have a fantastic, cheap, grin inspiring meal. I would love to give Oregano more praise but I'm getting hungry just thinking about the place, but I'll end with one more insight into just how fantastic, relaxed and, without wanting to sound cheesy, quaint this place is- the staff put up with me practising my Italian on them whenever I come into the restaurant, saving me money on expensive refresher lessons after stopping my linguistic studies many years ago. Friendlier, more attentive staff cannot be found in any other Islington eatery, guaranteed, and if you can prove me wrong I'll eat my hat [as long as it comes smothered in that heavenly ragu]."
Four Seasons
