Latium

Latium is superb. The food is top drawer, the wine list is imaginative and the service is attentive without being intrusive. I enjoyed this meal very much. My evening was topped off by the maitre de looking like American Idol winner Taylor Hicks. Go there - it's great
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Bradley
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 22, 2007

I took my girlfriend to Latium on Friday night for a late Valentines Day meal and I can honestly say that I ate one of the best meals I have ever eaten in London (and we go out to dinner a lot!). From the moment we walked in I was struck by the style of the restaurant - nicely spaced tables, chic, minimalist decor and slightly dimmed lighting. The maitre d' who greeted us was very professional as was the service throughout. The little extras which others have referred to were wonderful - a great selection of breads as well as rice balls and a variety of olives. The food we chose from the interesting, broad menu was even more delightful. The chicken tortollini in hens broth was melt-in-the-mouth delicious and the potato encrusted brill for main was fantastic. Frankly i'm running out of superlatives but my girlfriend's choices were apparently equally inspired. The great selection of petit fours at the end rounded off an amazing meal. Now I know why this is one of the only only Italians in London to get the top mark for food from the Hardens guide. We will definitely be back. I am glad to say that the restaurant was packed throughout the evening which means we're obviously not the only ones...
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Jeremy Liebster
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 19, 2007

After reading various reviews, we decided on Latium for it's apparent combination of value and quality. Service was very attentative and swift at the start and the food was delicious but as the night moved on and the restaurant became increasingly busy (which added to a lively atmosphere), the service began to wain and we were left waiting long periods between our final courses. Add this to what were very average desserts and you could best describe the experience as a a delicious soufflé that looks and tastes great straight out of the oven, but went a little deflated towards the end. A tip for the future would be to time your arrival well so as not to get too caught up in the rush (and skip dessert and enjoy the coffee and petite fours instead!)
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Rob Jung
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, February 05, 2007

Been here again and again, now they have started also a fantastic lunch service. I have not enough room here for what I wish to say 9including pictures of the dishes I had), if you want you can check it on my blog (is this allowed?) here:

http://eat-drink-man-woman-blog.blogspot.com/2007/01/latium.html
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Woman
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 10
Monday, February 05, 2007

My wife and I took 7 colleagues to Latium for a celebratory dinner recently on the basis of the reviews on this site and we were absolutely delighted. The food, service, and atmosphere were all superb! I like to think that we have eaten at all the best Italians in London (and lots in Italy too) but nothing beats Latium. Incredible.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Saturday, January 06, 2007

We had dinner here on Saturday evening as Latium had been recommended by a very discerning friend. We were not disappointed. Although it wasn't a special occasion, eating here made it feel like one. I think it was good that we weren't booked in until 9.15 as several of the tables in our part of the L shaped room vacated fairly soon, the atmosphere remained buzzy but not deafening. The service was not always totally on the ball - we hadn't been given a wine list by the time we ordered our food, but not seriously remiss and always absolutely charming and friendly. My surprise that they couldn't produce a bottle of Montepulciano d'Abruzzo was soon forgotten due to the alternative (cheaper) Curtefranca suggested by the waiter, which was fantastic. All of the food was top notch except my starter of prawn and scallop cocktail, which was tiny and served on a plate smeared in thick Marie Rose sauce, which was quite unappetising. The free crostini and breads/oil were delicious, the fish ravioli as wonderful as my friend had billed them and the main fish and meat courses well executed, if rather rich. The bill came to £100 for 3 courses plus coffee and petits fours, and I have had plenty of meals at that price which were nowhere near as good as this. My only criticism, there is nowhere to have a drink, so don't arrive early for your table.
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IC
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, November 20, 2006

I swore to myself never go to an italian restaurant in London, I always find it a rip off (I am italian). This was until my partner dragged me to Latium. I fell in love with the place instantly - the selection of complimentary appetizers while you wait to order and the careful selection of very good breads put you immediately in good mood. Last time (we now go regularly) I had ravioli di coda alla vaccinara: this is oxtail ravioli, generally an over rich dish that one would certainly not go for in the middle of August. But i confided in chef Morelli's light touch, and there they were, lushously light. To follow I had a memorable beef fillet, and a mousse of ricotta di bufala with candied artichokes to finish. For the wines we let the front house help us out, who chose for us the right wine to go with each dish. In fact, I would like to take issue with the previous reviewer on front service, which I find efficient, discrete and above all non pushy. And for lack of napkin in the lap: besides the fact I'd rather do it myself, for less than 30£ for food with a three course meal of this quality, how can you complain?
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paola
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 25, 2006

Myself and a friend had dinner there on saturday 5th August. We had booked for 2030 but were running late. I phoned ahead to warn them and they were very understanding and that we should not worry. Their greeting when we arrived (only 15 minutes late)was very welcoming and we were shown to our table. The table layout is very good for the customers, they are round and very well spaced - you dont feel cramped at all. The service we found very attentive but not fussy, they seemed to know when something was needed and when to leave well alone. The food from the freebes through to pudding was excellent and the wine list exhaustive. For two of us - cocktails, three courses, coffee and one bottle of wine £113. A reaaly pleasant evening, would recommend to anyone.
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maersk - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, August 08, 2006

I have been visiting Latium for a number of years now, however, I will no longer visit as the service has declined markedly. The two front of house managers were always stand-offish/smarmy but their attitude is now too off-putting.

To give some examples; on my last visit I had trouble moving to a better table even though the restaurant was empty, was told that we could not have a jug of tap water as "didn't we know there was a water shortage in the country" and were told that they no longer served balsamic vinegar with the bread as they had run out and then saw on the desset menu that one of the dishes included balsamic venue. When this was all pointed out, the main manager was very sarcastic with a take it or leave it attitude.

Its a shame that excellent value food is being ruined by lousy front end service.
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Robert Plant
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, July 10, 2006

My partner and I came for a second visit to celebrate my birthday, as we'd been very impressed first time round.

The service was not quite as good. After being shown our table (absence of napkin in lap), we were promptly introduced to some nice canapes, but we were dying of thirst, and had to ask for aperitifs without being offered anything to drink first.

Our starters were fine, but the goose pasta in the first course was rather tomato-heavy and lacked substance.

I ordered my fillet steak medium (the waiter having initially forgotten to ask how I wished to have it prepared). It came, however, blue to rare, and the sauteed potatoes were mostly still hard due to being undercooked. When it came back, the steak was fine, 'though it had been rushed and lacked flavour, but the potatoes were still hard. By this time my partner had virtually finished his main course. Surely a decent restaurant would offer to keep a fellow diner's food warm so that both may eat at the same time?

The coffee and petits fours were a pleasant end to a slightly disappointing experience at Latium. Room for improvement here.
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Mark
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 6
Tuesday, April 11, 2006