The Ark

Each time I visit London I always make a point of going to The Ark restaurant in Notting Hill and I am never disappointed. It is most definitely my favourite Italian in London. The food is completely delicious authentic Italian with a menu that makes it very difficult to choose.

During my recent visit it was a wonderful sunny day and we made full use of the pretty outside terrace for alfresco dinning - taglialini with clams and superb Pinot Grigio. I would thoroughly recommend it.
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Louise
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Sunday, June 29, 2008

I went to the Ark for the second time last week and has quite possibly one of my worst resturant experience in my 6 years living in London.

We had booked a table for 5 as had some friends over for the weekend. Upon arriving they said they only has us down as a booking for 2 ... fine, mistakes happen, however, when we pointed out we had actually booked for 5 they argued with us and told us we were wrong!

They then said they would be able to find us a table if we waited 5 mins ... half and hour later we are seated. During this half hour we asked a couple of times if they knew how much longer it would be and were very rudely told "what do you want us to do, kick people out?".

After the meal (having not been offered any complimentary coffees/drinks for the inconvience) I pointed out that we did not want to pay the full service charge. The waitress ran through the full amount on my card anyways and when I questioned, she stormed to the till got the change out the till and dumped it on my table.

All in all ... if you want to be agrued with and treated with amazing rudeness go to this resturant. If not, avoid at all costs.
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Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, April 30, 2008

I heard about the Ark through my friend whom recommended it as a cosy, romantic hideaway and that it was.

The food was well prepared and beautifully presented. We had the swordfish carppacio and the softest mozzarella that we had ever tasted, followed by steak and lamb which again exceeded our expectations.

Great and attentive service. We will definitely go back. D. W.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Saturday, February 23, 2008

I happened to come across Ark rather late last friday evening. As we haven't booked a table we were happy to be seated as the place was busy. We had one course out of extensive mouth watering menu; ossobuco and stuffed squid. Delicious. Friendly, atmospheric, great service. I would highly recommend the Ark, it's a warm and welcoming place. Mia
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Mia Lindgren
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

I had eaten at ark about two years ago upon a recomendation from palace garden hotel and had had an excellent time there with friendly service and wonderfull food . And so was quite excited to meet up with the same group of friends for what i hoped was to be more of the same. When i asked the (russian?) manageress if the previous manager was still working there i was curtly told that no " he had been sacked " and was then left to wait another 20 min to place my order. We had tried to order as close to what i rember eating last time , Lobster ravioli (sublime) and wild boar tagliatelle(slightly over spiced for my palet) which ticked most of the right boxes and was by and large well cooked. However the evening was soured by the rudeness and unprofessional displays of bored disinterest by the afore mentioned manageress, who even after we had paid (&tipped) left us to gather our own coats and then stepped outside to smoke a cigerette as we left. I think perhaps we might leave it for another two years (or longer) before returning again!
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lindsey sudlow
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, January 30, 2008

We had yet another fantastic dinner at The Ark last night, wonderful food which was expertly put together both in presentation and ingredients. Superb attentive service too but with out being pushy. On the whole a very enjoyable evening as always when dinning at The Ark, My husband and I are already taking of going again.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, January 23, 2008

I grew up in Kensington and I've been a fan of The Ark for many years now, from the original ownership, then J.C. Novelli, and now the current Italian setup. I've always loved it and still do.

A romantic dinner for two last night was a great success, as usual. The food is excellent. The menu includes many mouthwatering modern dishes, all with an authentic Italian feel, and the wine list features a good selection of Italian greats.

I spent £150 for two, covering three courses each (including lobster), a bottle of Champagne, a bottle of Pinot Grigio and coffees. I don't think that is at all overpriced for a delicious meal in Kensington.

I found the manageress to be charming, attentive and knowledgeable. I've read other people's comments about rudeness and my gut feeling is that some guests may have rubbed the manageress up the wrong way. I suspect that courteous guests receive great service whereas difficult or aloof guests (of which there are many in Kensington!) get discouraged from coming back. I don't necessarily think that's a good business philosophy, but I'd be the same if I ran my own restaurant

I always book my table in advance, which is recommend in a small restaurant as it helps the staff manage their service well.
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M.Harley
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

The Ark is good but seriously expensive. Be warned. Atmosphere and service were both fine and there were celebrities (dammit I wish I could remember which ones...actors, I think) on the next table but the bill was about 25% north of what I was expecting.
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George
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 4
Friday, November 23, 2007

I have been to the Ark restaurant last Saturday with few friends.

The food is very good and really well prepared, the service is simply terrible.

In the ten years I spent in London I never experienced such a rude service as in the Ark. As soon we seated we got asked 4 times within the first 5-10 mins if we have make our choices. When we requested few more minutes the waiteress\ lady manager looked very annoyed. After making our choices I was still reading the specials menu, the waiteress literally took the menu out of my hands.

During the whole meal the service was pretty bad, I asked few more grissini and I got the answer that I will get charged for that ( the bill was north of 150 GBP).

At the end of the dinner I told the lady manager about the shortcomings of the service and she got defensive and quite rude.

It is a pity that such a great food is spoiled by such a poor service.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 7
Friday, November 16, 2007

Took 6 friends for dinner after a theatre date..Lovely ambience, quiet and gentle plus delicious food for all my guests. Expensive, but not more than I had bargained for. A happy evening for us all
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, March 06, 2007