Pierino

I have had the fortune of eating here regularly since I first visited London with my family in 1998 and we needed something hearty after a day at the museums. Years later my university tutor treated some of us to a meal there as it was also his favourite restaurant in the area. I have since been back with friends, dates, and some discerning family members and haven't had anything less than excellent here.

A refurbishment about 2 years ago took a lot of charming photos down but it is now beautiful inside and with a wood decked area out front for a more continental experience.

It has been in the same family certainly for the last decade. Service is pretty good, it is a small place so you'll get served quickly enough and with some Italian flair and charisma.

The food - pizzas are divine, I have been disappointed by pizzas in Rome and Tuscany by comparison. Try the Diavolo. The pasta dishes are very good and simply huge. The salmon and carbonara dishes are recommended and all of the vegetable-only pasta dishes. I have not tried the meat dishes though have had a superb risotto there (as risotto is one thing I can cook well myself, I expect a lot when I eat out).

I wouldn't consider eating at any other Italian for a radius of several miles.

I resisted writing about this place on any website for years because it's such a gem and I'd rather it didn't get more difficult to get a seat (it is always bustling on a Saturday and Sunday, and never empty). But I felt I had to say something in case readers felt the esteemed previous reviewer was representative - having been here probably twenty times, whilst perhaps the meat dishes are not perfect, I have to say it is excellent.

You could take a date here and the acres of beautiful marble and hardwood surfaces, and tasteful lighting, candles etc would not give away the low prices (about £8 for a pizza/pasta dish, £12 house wine).
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Colin
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, October 31, 2008

Decided to visit Pierino based on the high scores on London-eating and it being close to the Albert Hall. In fact they advertise in the Proms prospectus. Our visit was early evening on July 18th. Both my husband and myself were very disappointed with our meals. We had both ordered chicken dishes. Mine being described as a casserole, arrived in a sticky sauce with clumps of rice. I left most of it. My husbands was overcooked and dry. The staff seemed friendly enough, but I would not say the service was particularly speedy. Perhaps the outcome would have been better had we stuck to pasta or pizza.
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Mutti - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 0
Friday, August 01, 2008

Great italian place - food is tasty and big portions!
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CW
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Saturday, May 31, 2008