Tiramisu Tiramisu

A classic Italian dessert featuring layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, rich mascarpone cream, and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Portobello Garden

Portobello Garden

269B Portobello Road, London, W111LR, W11 1LL, United Kingdom

Cafés • Pasta • Pizza • Italian


"Out and about on a lunchtime constitutional along Portobello Road last week something interesting caught my eye. Set back from the road, hiding behind vintage clothes in the arcade, was an alluringly attractive Italian restaurant. On my own, without reading material and in a hurry to get back to work, I had no intention of sitting down to eat but I was compelled to go in and investigate. I glanced at the menu and clientele, was charmed by the decor of hanging dried meat and flowers, and decided I would return imminently.<br/ <br/ Thankfully an opportunity arose this week. I had taken it upon myself to arrange a lunch for myself and nine colleagues, and presented them with an option of four restaurants (secretly hoping that democracy would work in my favour). At first, take-up was slow as the more adventurous-sounding alternatives were far more popular, but risk aversion gradually set in and the simple Italian became the winner; a culinary hare and tortoise situation, if you will.<br/ <br/ “What if they don’t cater for big groups? What if it’s awful and I’m forever ridiculed for my restaurant choice?” Such questions were running through my mind, distracting me from my morning tasks.<br/ <br/ An amiable Italian gentleman saw the first sub-group and exclaimed “group of ten, this way please!” so we followed orders and went inside to our long table, immediately looking above us at the conservatory style ceiling and feeling as though we had walked into a Tuscan summer.<br/ <br/ Our charismatic waitress brought over an alternative to a complementary bread basket; a plate of amuse-bouche sized pieces of courgette frittata served on a forest of rocket. I was very impressed by this. They have foreseen that I’m going to be ravenous, having not eaten since my 11:00 AM apple; that I may not wish to bloat up on bread; that I enjoy being surprised, which I most certainly was. I had only been there ten short minutes and these people already knew how to please me more than some people who have known me for decades. If that isn’t customer service, I really don’t know what is. <br/ <br/ The menu is slightly unusual in that there isn’t the usual long list of pizzas and pastas to choose from, instead there were a couple of al forno dishes (baked in the oven), several paninis (with pizza bread), and a list of specials, a few of which were mains. I took from this that a decision had been made to offer a limited number of dishes, but to do them well.<br/ <br/ I had top-notch, considerably portioned gnocchi with bolognese sauce for £11.50, served whilst the tomato sauce was still bubbling from the oven, with fresh basil scattered on top.<br/ <br/ To make the experience even more superior, they should consider investing in a second credit card machine to take two payments simultaneously since this was a bit slow.<br/ <br/ I was really fond of this restaurant and highly recommend it. Now I just need to think up another reason to go back next week.."

James Street South

James Street South

21 James St South, Belfast BT2 7GA, United Kingdom

Steak • French • British • Vegetarian


"enjoyed our evening in james st it was the best culinary experience of our trip! we had been happy to see this evening as we had a few hit-N-seals in the course of our trip to belfast. we were not disappointed and had the fabulous evening. we were quickly welcomed and sitting. the place is beautiful and spacious. revitalized and environment. the bar is great and would like to come back, only for drinks at the bar sometime. we ordered cocktails immediately. an Irish gin negroni and a traditional old fashion. my neger was absolutely excellent. I think the old fashion could have been done with real sugar cubes and not sugar syrup, but it wasn't too bad. we were quick to choose our wein. we chose a beautiful juicy red, the cline, the old vine zinfandel, 2019. to begin we had the ham hock terrine with piccalilli champ bread and some scallops with boar bell. the hanging-hock court was the best ham-hock I had. the homemade piccalilli was something else. really nice crispy and sharp sharp to help cut through the hammock and the champbrot was delicious crispy on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. the scallops and black bells were disappointing, as they lacked no salt or genuine aroma or texture between them. we still ate it and shared the rest of my hammock. we both decided to go for the co. tyrone 270g fillet steak with sides of champ and truffle parmesan chips. red wine and pfeffer sauce. they were fantastic steaks. Actually, I didn't think I would finish mine, but I did. I have met the right choice with the jus and the truffle chips. they went so well together, the dryness of the parmesan and sweet, slightly greasy of the jus. the steaks were perfectly cooked. a medium and my medium rare. fantastic aroma on the grilled outside of the steak and beautiful texture when they pierce. we both agreed that the champ was the best champ we ever cost. it was hot, soft, so well aromatized with hot butter on the top of the copper serving pot melt. it was really the most incredible champ. I was too full of dessert. but my sample ordered the sticky toffee pudding sundae. the team was friendly enough to make me an espresso martini that was both decaf and not a sugar syrup. it was brilliant. we both managed to work our way, although a surprisingly light sticky toast desserts on Sunday. the team was fantastic. very friendly and chatting to us. the bar team did not stop, I had the pleasure of standing and watching them make a great selection of drinks and cocktails. the waiting staff were also very friendly when they check in with us at comfortable places to ensure that we were in order. we felt very well looked around. the service was very good, we didn't feel any hurry, it felt like such a free time in this restaurant. when we come back to belfast, we will be back in absolute terms and we will definitely recommend others. Thank you."