Lena

We went there on a Friday evening, we sat downstairs. A jazz band was playing that created a lovely mood. the bartender was really helpful and recommended great cocktails. he took our food order, within 15 minutes for our appetizers then soon after our mains. the tuna was great and my girlfriend had the chicken and she really enjoyed. i would recommended this place.
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walid hijazi
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Saturday, December 13, 2008

Went for lunch to this new Italian on the edge of the City.

The decor is of dubious taste-lots of white plastic,and green bits,a bit Torquay hotel circa 1970.This is strange,as Italy is usually tops for design and taste.

The menu is limited,and I am all in favour of doing 6 things really well in starters/mains/desserts as opposed to lots of things poorly.The food is very good,with top-notch ingredients,executed very well.A burrata starter was full of the juicy cream,although the bed of orange is perhaps not the best offset to an already tart experience.Some finely chopped de-seeded zucchini or red and yellow grilled peppers would have been better.The scallops of my companion looked fresh and juicy and were generous.Salmon was well executed,but probably a little too dry-less cooking or some sauce would have helped.The risotto was very good.This is a dish that in less skillful hands can become gloopy or remain pellety.Not here,it was perfectly cooked and the porcini mushrooms were excellent too.Wine list has some good choices.Bread was very disappointing,which is odd.It was supposed to be freshly made foccacia,but some idiot covered it in sesame seeds.This is not a good idea!Stop it at once!If you want to add some sprigs of rosemary,or sea salt or finely sliced onions ok,but never seeds.We left it all.The bill is at the upper end,with mains around 19-24;starters at 8-13 etc.

Last comment has to be on the music.I am never sure why some restaurants insist on playing loud music.Most of us go to a restaurant to have a nice relaxing time away from stressful jobs,chatting with our companions/dates etc while eating something great together.We do not go to shout at each other to make ourselves heard,nor to have everyone else trying to do the same leading to a cacauphony that makes the experience unbearable.Maybe the music is for the bored staff?We finally got them to turn it off,after complaining 5 times.And peace and calm descended,and everyone's voices returned to normal levels,and people settled in for an enjoyable lunch.

Get rid of the attempt to be a nightclub,and this place might be worthwhile.
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C.Elder
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Friday, December 12, 2008