Ooze Risotto Bar
special offers
2 courses & a glass of prosecco: £14.95
...from the full a la carte menu. Includes Vat, excludes service. Click for more details
our comments
Funny name for a restaurant isn’t it? After all, things that ooze aren’t normally attractive. People who ooze charm are often insincere and an oozing wound…. well, let’s not go there let’s go to the restaurant instead. As a concept a restaurant that specialises in risotto is rather a brave one; risottos need to be made to order, need constant supervision in the kitchen and take twenty minutes. On the other hand, they are pretty much universally liked and are flexible in what you can put into them. They are also pretty filling.
The Ooze concept is bright and modern with the sort of plastic chairs and lighting that clearly state that it’s a place to get in, fill up and get out and there’s nothing wrong with that. There’s a stated commitment to fresh and seasonal ingredients and there are low fat and low salt options too, which is all highly commendable. That translates as less butter and less Parmesan though so count me out, I’ll go for the extra butter and Parmesan every time. With fifteen or so risottos to choose from, you should find one that takes your fancy.
Of course you don’t have to eat risotto if you really don’t want to, there are some salads as well as chicken, steak and tuna options too, but hey when in Ooze. Risottos safely ordered we also called up a selection of bruschettas to while away the wait time. These had some amusing toppings; a violently coloured beetroot and ricotta was rather pleasant, once the retinas had got over the shock, walnut gorgonzola and celery had good bite, spec mascarpone and pine nuts had decent quality meat and mushroom and taleggio went down well with the Peronis. Other starter options included calamari fritti and stuffed peppers so there was plenty of choice.
The risottos turned out to be a very chunky plateful. The rice itself didn’t seem to be Arborio which is a rounded grain and very creamy. It was possibly Carnoroli, which is a longer grained rice and less likely to go mushy. Could this be the secret of how they can run a restaurant specialising in risottos and do away with the constant turning and stock adding that’s normally required?
Mine was shot through with aubergine and deliciously melted mozzarella. Across the table was a seafood special, with plenty of prawns, squid and all the rest. The scoffer complained mildly about a bit too much lemon juice, but ate the lot regardless so you can discount that small criticism. A green salad of peppery rocket with slivers of parmesan and a good vinegary dressing cut the richness of the rice rather well.
Desserts went untested; too full were we. But Panacotta, tiramisu, ice cream and cheese seemed good options.
Well priced, and with lunchtime specials, Ooze is in the right place to meet a need. You won’t go for a romantic date but you will go back for a reliable bite in a breezy atmosphere.
Nick Harman - November 2007
your comments review this restaurant and win a bottle of champagne
A massive, massive disappointment. Service was very slow, took a while to order - then the kitchen lost our order and we weren't told until over half an hour after ordering. We were then told it would only be 5 minutes, but of course risotto takes longer - it took 15 and was undercooked. The flavours in mine seemed OK but it's hard to tell when it's not properly cooked - and how bizarre not to use arborio rice. It made for a very un-risotto-like texture. I agree with those who say they could make better risotto at home and not pay upwards of a tenner for a medium portion. One to avoid.
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Suzie
Overall rating 
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
i love risotto and was really looking forward to come here.
we visited at around 7-7.30 on a wednesday night and the place was really quiet, i think there was only a few other people eating which didn't really help the mood.
we had a bottle of prosecco which was ok and the mushroom risotto i ordered was good but probably just as good as something i could make at home rather than spend £10 on.
service was ok although not great, not sure if i would go back
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Annie
Overall rating 
Food 8 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
Starters were small and unecessarily wierd e.g. clotted cream bruschetta.
Risottos were indeed the best thing but not good enough for me to go back.
Service was very good.
Ooze isn't that bad but you feel a bit bitter spending your of cash on such a mediocre experience.
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Pesci13 - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Went to Ooze for the first time last night and what a surprise!!
Totally loved the decor very relaxed cool colours good atmosphere.
My tuna risotto was very tasty and the pestos very scrummy.
my husband had the grill and salad really fresh..loved it!!
Will definitely go back
Comment on this reader review
Overall rating 
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Sunday, September 16, 2007
A disappointment. Considering Ooze specialises in risotto it's not particularly good, you can get much better at the many Italian restaurants within walking distance. A strange concept, a strange space lacking in atmosphere and an average experience. I'm not too sure how long it will be around as it was very quiet on Friday lunch when everywhere around was packed.
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Darren
Overall rating 
Food 5 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Monday, August 27, 2007
Had a lovely time at Ooze. 50% off makes it a worthy visit. The service isnt bad but nothing too much to complain about. You'll defintely leave feeling full and satisfied. We went for lunch and had a good time.
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Nick Crispin
Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Wednesday, August 08, 2007
I would recommend this restaurant only to those who have time to waste on an ultimate disappointment. For the most part, I guess I've had better risotto before but I just could not stand the half-ass service of the waiter who was extremely unprofessional. The only other element to top that was the constant obnoxious laugh of the female manager who seemed pretty occupied flirting with her own waiters and laughing like a hyena, which I found very unappetizing.
This place "tried" hard to be tasteful with it's TINY space, but the entire atmosphere reminded me so much of an IKEA showroom.
It was quite sad, with a sadder management.
If you're someone who's up for quality dining, don't make the mistake I made by choosing to eat at a place named... OOZE!
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Jane A.
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 2
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Tried Ooze for the first time last night. The service was fine, although we struggled to hear the waitress as the noise level in the restaurant was terrible, in fact the four of us could bearly hold a conversation it was that loud. The seafood risotto was average. Sadly the shell fish was gritty and the risotto itself a little bland however the sugar snap, rocket and grilled pepper salad was delicious. Good value for money but the noise level will stop me going again.
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Delfin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Thursday, August 02, 2007
I went to Ooze on a Friday afternoon and really had a good time. The service was careful at the beginning but I felt i was "forgotten" later. My risotto was good but nothing spectacular. The dessert (apple crumble) was really really good, and the size dishes are "well served". Recommended!
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- View all reviews by this user
Overall rating 
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, July 28, 2007
Recently went to OOze after wanting to go since its opening. Nice setting, good table, service was a bit pretty disappointing. Risotto was nice, but nothing to rave about . Servings were generous, way too much rocket for our liking though.. Pesto, awesome, would go back just for that and bread!!
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 4 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 7
Monday, February 26, 2007
