Di Monforte

great food and true value for money, the best Italian in the area by far .
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Bal - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Friday, December 11, 2009

After some friends highly recommended the restaurant, we booked a table through the toptable offer (2 courses and glass of wine for £14.95) last Saturday night. We were shown to a table by a man who I assume is the manager/owner who mumbled to us that they generally do antipasto to start and then we could choose any main (except the steak) and what colour wine did we want. He wasn't overly friendly (maybe this is typically Sicilian) and rather brusque and when we decided to order our starters a la carte, he mentioned the anitpasto again. Rather than argue, we agreed to have this instead. It arrived promptly and was pretty good but no better or worse than any other average Italian. For the main, I had the tuna while my partner had a pasta dish with sausage. The portions were incredibly generous but nothing too special - if we had been paying full price (c. £12++ for the mains), we would've been incredibly disappointed. Too full for dessert, we paid up and left. At no point did anyone asked us if we had enjoyed the meal etc. While we like to support independent establishments, we don't feel Di Monforte has much to offer to put it ahead of the competition, particulary somewhere like Islington.
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, June 10, 2009

I have visited this restaurant and from the service to the atmosphere I have nothing to speak of and nothing to be happy about it, however the food was very good.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 3
Monday, April 13, 2009

It was my first visit to Vigata on a recommendation would definitely return! Food is fresh home cooked to order, and excellent quality.

Chef's specialities on the menu where delicious definitely a must

we also had a really good bottle of Barolo

we a great night and i would most certainly recommend this restaurant to anyone great for party groups. Although they were very busy they made time for us the meal was fantastic and the service and staff were brilliant. Great value for money!!

Give them a try.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Monday, March 30, 2009

We dropped in on a Saturday night without booking, we were lucky enough to get a table and the restaurant was full. The service sadly was far from up to standard, we had to wait a long time for anyone to even take our drinks order, specials were then not explained and when we finally did get our main course we had been there over an hour.

The food was varied, I had the risotto and it was amazing probably the best one I have ever had! My partner had the lamb and as with previous reviews the menu was misleading and the sauce was missing and as a result the dish was dry.

Even though the food quality was good we will not be returning as the service was so poor, we did not feel cared for or looked after and with the price point being where it is this should be a minimum, we even had to find someone to ask for the bill (and our empty plates had been sat on the table for twenty minutes).
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Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Sunday, January 25, 2009

We visited Vigata for a quick meal before going on to Sadlers Wells. The show was good, but the food was wonderful. It's the kind of Italian cooking that makes you wonder why you ever bother with pizza. Delicacy of taste, generous portions, courteous, solicitous service. Frankly we couldn't believe we were on a two course plus wine special deal. It almost makes me wish we were living in London again, but we will find excuses to return as soon as possible. If you are in this part of town, and even if you aren't - find your way there.
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Richard Burrows
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Sunday, December 28, 2008

We had been recommended by Italian friends, who had enjoyed their evening at Vigata so my girl friend and I went last Friday with high expectations and am pleased to say we weren’t disappointed the food was excellent genuine Italian. I had the largest King prawns and my partner the half lobster with pasta which we both fresh and cooked to perfection, the service was wonderful and we were made to feel very welcome by the manager and waitress with true Italian hospitality the restaurant was busy but they made time for us. We definitely will go back and recommend it to all our friends.

I have never written a restaurant review but just felt I must the is the best I have visited for some time thank you Angelo and Vigata..
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David Hastings
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, October 08, 2008

This is one of the worst restaurants I have been to for a long time. As a local restaurant, I was enthusiastic about having a local Italian with more than just the normal pizza fare, but was not at all impressed with the so called alleged authentic cuisine.

They either weren't prepared or were under some illusion that unattentive service translates to unobtrusive service. With only two people on the floor and a full restuarant, they were stretched to provide the type of service the prices of food required. In terms of the food, the menu information was misleading. The medallion of beef, was frying steak. Although in small writing on the menu that Veg and potatoes are included, when ordering additional sides of fries, they did not feel obliged to say do we really need this considering the meal comes with sides. We asked for red and wine by the glass, they did not ask us which type or gave suggestions. The seafood spaghetti was steaming hot on top only to be cold in the middle when the food was seperated. The tender lamb was lamb chops, with no hint of white wine. The sauce with the medallion of beef was also missing the truffle.

The bill they provide is not detailed, its just bulked under food or drink. I'm sorry, but for a bill over £100.00 I want to see the items listed individually.

The service was cold, and not at all like the talkative, personable and friendly italian types you encounter in a "proper" authentic italian restaurant. For a table of six, a new opening, with local clientelle and potential future custom, they seriously failed on all aspects of service. Considering their success and survival will rely on the locals as opposed to passing trade, we would have thought that the service would be less up its own butt! But the arrogance of this venue proved one thing - it's days are numbered!
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Sammijo S, Islington
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Monday, September 29, 2008

Finally I found an Italian restaurant run by Italians. I went to Vigata with a friend last Friday. We had an Antipasto vigata to share to start with. of typical Italian food, just the one I use to eat in Italy. From grilled vegetables to mozzarella and sundried tomatoes. As a main course, I had pasta with half lobster I found it very delicious and freshly made. My friend had a whole big seabass. The wine list was also very good with prices from £13.50. We had white Sicilian catarrato and a very good expresso coffe. Amaretto was offered by the manager “and this doesn’t happen anywhere I have eaten in Islington”

To make it short at the cost of £61.00 “tips were not included”, I will go back as many times as I can when I want to eat Italian food in London and I would suggest to everyone to try it as it has just opened.

I almost forgot the best part of the dinner. We were given bread with caponata di melanzane, (aubergine in tomato sauce) typical Sicilian antipasto from the house while waiting for our starters.
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Cecco
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Great find! This restaurant has tremendous potential. Everything from the starters and pasta to main courses is resonably priced and very high quality. The wine was a bit expensive but not outrageous. The only thing this restaurant needs is a bit of publicity. The location is fantastic so close to Angel tube, but does not get that many casual passers as it is not on Upper Street. If you have a chance, take a stroll over to Liverpool Road and enjoy the best Italian food I have had in London!
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, September 17, 2008