Tagliatelle Bolognese Tagliatelle Bolognese
Jamie's Italian Westfield Shepherd's Bush

Jamie's Italian Westfield Shepherd's Bush

Westfield Shepherd's Bush, Unit 1078Westfield Shopping Centre, Ariel Way, London, United Kingdom

Fish • Steak • Pasta • Italian


"Our server, Iryna, was incredibly friendly and helpful in guiding us through the menu. Her recommendations were spot on and made our meal truly exceptional. The seafood salad was unlike anything we had experienced before, but Iryna encouraged us to give it a try, and it was fantastic. The flavors and the sauce combined perfectly. Although my wife typically doesn't enjoy beets, she ended up eating half of hers because they were seasoned and cooked to perfection. My wife ordered the small seafood linguine, which was definitely fresh and cooked in fish stock instead of the usual cream sauce. The seasoning was absolutely brilliant, and everything came together flawlessly. She also appreciated the perfect portion size; although she could have eaten more, she wanted to save room for dessert. To be honest, I found myself a bit envious of her dish and wished there was more to share. Not that I disliked my own meal, because I truly loved it. The pulled lamb was braised in a generous amount of red wine, and Iryna was right—while you could taste the wine, there was no overpowering alcohol flavor, just rich aromas. The pasta was cooked just right, and the lamb was tender and delicious. I could have easily eaten more, but I wanted to save space for dessert too. After discussing our options, we ultimately decided on the botanical dessert. Normally, we would have tried everything, but since we had lunch just three hours prior, we had to be mindful. The Botanical was the perfect choice to end our meal. The chocolate mousse coated in chocolate was just the right amount of sweet, not overwhelming at all. Paired with ice cream and toffee sauce, every spoonful had us saying "mmmmm.""

Cacciari's Restaurant Sth Kensington - Old Brompton Rd

Cacciari's Restaurant Sth Kensington - Old Brompton Rd

United Kingdom, SW7 3LQ, London

Pasta • Pizza • Steak • Indian


"My wife and I were down in London to see a show and stayed over in Hammersmith and I'd found this place beforehand and had booked a table and good job I had, every table was taken and they were turning people away all evening. We shared the pizza focaccia bread to start, which was lovely, soft and warm and served with olive oil and balsamic, to dip into. My wife then had the seafood tagliolini dish and said it was the best pasta dish she's ever had and she loves pasta and regularly has it when we got out, so that is high praise. The prawns were proper big and meaty and the crab soft and she said every mouthful was a fishy taste sensation. Often with this type of dish the primary taste is tomatoes and the fish plays second fiddle but not here. I had the fillet steak in a peppercorn sauce with rosemary potatoes and a rocket and parmesan salad. I'd asked for my steak medium and it was spot on, cooked to perfection. Peppercorn sauce probably wouldn't be my first choice (blue cheese would) but this sauce was lovely, yes it had peppercorns in it but it was a hint, not overwhelming and detracting from the steak. The rosemary potatoes were lovely too and whilst a rocket and parmesan salad might be a simple dish and difficult to get wrong, it is possible but this was great too and went perfectly with my meal. My only slight criticism, and I haven't marked them down over it, as that would be unfair, because the meal was good, is that my Cacciari's handcrafted beer wasn't cold enough, barely cold even and it needed to be, so a tip for them, try to make sure your beer is cold. My glass of Chiaretto Del Garda on the other hand, was perfectly chilled and quaffable. Also, the service was impeccable, attentive but not intrusive, just how it should be. We've commented to ourselves about restaurants before, that those that seem to have a maitre d or someone who just has that all seeing eye, are so good and stand out from the crowd, well done. Would I go again, too right I would, would I recommend it, without hesitation but make sure you book. Dined 25th November."

San Carlo

San Carlo

4 Temple Street, B2 5BN, Birmingham, United Kingdom

Pasta • Steak • Pizza • Italian


"As we ventured into San Carlos in Birmingham for a delightful family birthday lunch, the atmosphere was alive with anticipation. The restaurant 's elegant yet comfortable setting was the perfect stage for our midday culinary adventure. The lunch was headlined by the 'pizza of wonder ', an extraordinary creation that reimagined the classic pizza. With its impeccably charred crust and a medley of exquisite toppings, each bite was a symphony of flavours, making it much more than just a pizza it was a celebration of gastronomic artistry. Next came the rib eye steak, which was the epitome of 'melt in the mouth '. Cooked to perfection, it was a tender, flavour packed delight that tantalised our taste buds. It wasn 't just a dish; it was an ode to the sublime joys of well prepared meat. The lasagne, staying true to its Italian heritage, was a culinary masterpiece. Its layers of al dente pasta, rich ragu, and silky bechamel sauce combined to create a dish that was both comforting and sophisticated. This lasagne was a charming mix of rustic and refined, capturing the essence of Italian comfort food. Then there was the chicken in white wine sauce, an absolute sensation. The chicken, tender and succulent, was bathed in a heavenly sauce that was both light and richly flavoured. It was a dish that showcased the perfect balance of ingredients, each mouthful a testament to the chef 's skill in harnessing and elevating simple flavours to create something truly memorable. Amidst this feast, the staff of San Carlos were the unsung heroes. Their attentive and genuine service added a layer of warmth to the dining experience, making us feel both valued and well looked after. The meal culminated with a Tiramisu that was a dream come true for the connoisseurs among us. It was an impeccable mix of coffee, mascarpone, and cocoa, a dessert that spoke of Italian elegance and indulgence. In summary, San Carlos in Birmingham is more than just a restaurant; it’s a midday retreat into the world of fine Italian dining. From the mesmerising pizza to the sensational chicken in white wine sauce, and the unrivalled Tiramisu, each dish is a testament to the beauty and depth of Italian cuisine. For a memorable lunch experience, San Carlos is a beacon of culinary excellence."

Bacco Restaurant & Wine Bar

Bacco Restaurant & Wine Bar

25-26 Red Lion Street Holborn London, WC1R 4PS, United Kingdom

Wine • Bars • Pasta • Dining


"Booked a table on Saturday for a simple dinner for 2 before a birthday party. On arrival to the almost empty restaurant, I was promptly given a table by a fire exit, (which I asked to change to a table away from the door and in a more pleasant part of the restaurant). The chair at the first table had also seen better days and sank down as soon as I tried to sit in it, which was another reason I asked to move. On being seated at my new table I was given 1 menu, even though I had booked a table for two. The waiter seemed disinterested frankly. When my partner arrived she was left to sit at the table for quite a while without a menu until we requested one. We ordered our meals and drinks, then had to ask again for bread, instead of it being brought to us. The first course of fried calamari was tasteless and bland, with more breading than squid and at £15 a portion it was not good value at all. When asked if I enjoyed my starter, I told the waiter that I didn’t like it as it was very dry. My £16 spaghetti crab was smothered in tomato sauce and it could have been any kind of protein in there, tuna, sardine, it’s impossible to tell. My partners seafood orecchiette was adequate, but was still £18 Desert was a dark pannocotta which was ok. £8, we asked to share one and two were brought to us, so 1 was sent back. The bill came to £115 (including an obligatory 12.5% service charge), and with a top table discount on the starters and mains knocking £30 off that total to make it £85, I really don’t feel this place is either good value for money or worth visiting again. The food was bland and indifferent, much like the waiting staff and the decor. I feel this is a tired West End restaurant, knocking out overpriced and sub standard food to people on business or shopping. If you are going to spend £100 you should expect a great meal and considerate service. This was very far from that."

La Trattoria By Alfredo Russo

La Trattoria By Alfredo Russo

15 Cromwell Pl, South Kensington, London SW7 2LA, United Kingdom

Vegan • Italian • Vegetarian • Gluten Free


"Hidden below street level, this restaurant is as one keen reviewer eloquently put it 'a tourist trap ' for nearby visitors to the museums of South Kensington. In essence it hosts an expensive menu with average tasting food. I 'm sure they 're only surviving because of a guaranteed minimum level of customers who 'll unwittingly stroll in without heeding the warnings of these reviews. In the restaurant 's defence, the decor is homely and the service from staff is very attentive indeed I was asked by two separate staff during my meal whether everything was okay which felt a bit parental but mostly non threatening all the same. I 'd gone for the margherita pizza which at £7 seemed like a bargain. You could easily get full on this, despite tasting rather bland. However, I was feeling somewhat adventurous and decided to add pickled artichokes (nope, not fresh) and mushrooms as toppings for £1.50 extra each. Thinking this wouldn 't be enough, I included a side of spinach into the mix for £5: what I was served with was a small bowl of half boiled baby spinach leaves really should 've been another pizza topping as that 's what it turned into. Overall, disappointingly average, and they 'll include a service charge because they expect you to be one of many money donning tourists sprinkling cash in the already hideously wealthy area. Try your appetite resolving luck elsewhere."