Amici

I always like to read reviews as long as they are balanced and objective.

So I was very surprised by comments made by previous reviewer (does he work for Pizza Express?) Pizzas at Amici are cheaper than Pizza Express and better. See below.

When she was younger, my daughter was a great fan of Pizza Express so I have eaten enough of them to be able to compare. Last week, my daughter and I went to Amici, in Kenington for the first time.

We had a very nice Dinner, sitting outside in the restaurant’s large courtyard enjoying the sunshine. It is a heaven of peace right in the centre of London and completely enclosed so very safe.

To start with, my daughter had a plate of Spicy Calamaretti. The portion was large for a starter and finger liking tasty. I had 12 oysters (Yes, Amici serves oysters which come from West Mersey in Essex ( they have a great oyster bar on the coast see westmerseaoysterbar.co.uk)

As a main course, we both shared a Diavolo Pizza at £9.60 (at Pizza Express it costs £11.65) and Veal Saltimbocca. The pizza dough was nice and crispy at the bottom while the veal was perfectly cooked, not dry which is often the case.

We could not eat anything else after that so we just enjoyed the sunshine and the wine….

Yes, Amici is also a wine bar with a carefully selected list of wines most of them available by the glass, so we enjoyed a different glass of wine with each of our dishes. On the menu, there is a wine suggested to accompany each dish which is helpful.

We shall certainly be back to Amici (It is not just a pizza place but a very good Italian neighbourhood restaurant reasonably priced)
Comment on this reader review

Bill
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Monday, July 30, 2012

This is my 2nd visit. I only decided to give them another chance having received a copy of their leaflet claiming to be better than Pizza Express. I have been to Pizza Express just 2 doors away for years and have never been disappointed, so I was eager to find out how Amici have stepped up to this.

Amici seemed to provide a good level of quality in the food, but compared to Pizza Express was no better. However where I was extremely disappointed was the price difference. Amici is incredibly more expensive than its competitor and for the quality received does not provide value for money. Service was haphazard at times, but it shows they are trying, and whole room felt cold with what may appear to be the manager trying to listen in on your conversation.

Never again will I return, their leaflet claiming to be better than Pizza Express (PE) might be marginaly true, but does not promote any value for money at all. The owner had claimed the pizza from PE is frozen, yet how come the chef is preparing the pizza freshly from the open kitchen in PE. The leaflet is incredibly misleading as it does not state the entire facts. I applaud the owner of Amici to use such nasty marketing tactics to gain business, but he/she must show some form of substance.
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Jaosn Cann
1 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 0
Thursday, March 17, 2011

Best Italian restaurant in London! Everyone must go, it is an unfathomable experience! Makes you travel straight to Italy in a meal's time!
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Corinne
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, November 15, 2010

by far the best Italian restaurant ever! i highly recommend Italian food lovers to go to this restaurant.

-amazing food

-amazing service

-great place to meet people.
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claudine
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, November 11, 2010

It's a remarkable Italian restaurant with a family-run feel. The staff are cheerful if not entirely attentive and the service is brilliant. The food is always good I love love the food. The pastas are undeniably great, and well worth what you'll pay (try the crab linguini). The portions are massive and prices so reasonable.

The atmosphere is always buzzing and its great for Birthdays, my daughter had her 21st Birthday at Amici it was such a fun evening.

While you wait to be seated you can always have a glass of Prosecco & snacking on Bruschetta at the bar.

There is an outside area at the back that’s perfect in warm weather.

I haven’t had dessert there yet but have heard that it is also just as good as everything else on the menu.

Be aware There's always a queue on a Friday and Saturday night - and deservedly so.
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Fab - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, November 11, 2010