Locanda-Ottoemezzo

This restaurant is in a perfect location and has a great atmosphere. The food was satisfactory (I had the beef with roast potatoes and mushrooms). However I really do feel that it is over-priced for what you get.

I can't recommend this restaurant and will not be returning.
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Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 2
Sunday, January 13, 2008

Having tried the bolognese sauce in every Italian restaurant I try in London, I have to say Locanda Ottoemezzo is the best I've had. The food is some of the best italian in London. The atmosphere is lovely with the upstairs small area near the window being the best. However, downstairs is very cozy. The people are extremely friendly.

It is always difficult to get a table on Friday or Saturday night so make sure you book ahead.

I don't think anyone will be sorry they tried Locanda.
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Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, August 20, 2007

I have to be brutally honest on this one. I felt it was a tough call.

Don't get me wrong, I had a great time here and the restaurant is a gem. The food was some of the best Italian food I've had in a long time. The service was, for want of a better word, charming and the various nooks and crannies of the venue gave the place a very cosy feel (even if the plastic chairs were a bit odd). My only gripe is this: I personally think it's too expensive relative to what you get.

Yes, it's trendy and yes, it's in the middle of Kensington, but £50 per head for a standard 2-course meal? I thought that was a bit steep.

So enough said on that. I DO recommend this restaurant because I don't believe the cost should be a barrier to a pleasant evening out. Just be aware, that's all. Well worth a visit.
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Alan Ingham - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Thursday, July 26, 2007

Wow!

Looking at the menu, with starters at £10 and mains at £20 (pasta and risotto about £15), I thought it was quite pricey. Having finished up, it felt like a bargain.

Carpaccio of sea bass with pesto to start was good, but the rare veal with roasted fennel for mains was one of the best dishes I've had for a long while. The meat was divine. And even the fennel, which isn't one of my favourite veggies, had all the harsh aniseed flavour sweated out and was so much more subtle than it usually is. The table next door was full of Italins, one of whom chose the risotto which was served in a parmesan! Over the top, yes, but it looked magnificent and I wish I could have tasted it.

Add to that wonderful service - we were served by the owner who knew all the details of the menu (as he should), but also filled us in on all the coloured LPs hanging on the wall - how rare they were, where he got them etc. Priceless! And very Italian!

I was also impressed by his knowledge of Italian restaurants - he overheard us talking about our local which he knew well and gave us his opinion: 'Itzza OK, but notta as good as 'ere!'. And he was right!

Any critisms? Not really. If I had to ciritse, maybe the wines were a little overpriced. Still, the Merlot (not my choice, but very good anyway) was poured into such a beautiful glass I was quite happy to forgive a couple of quid.

All in all a great find, and highly recommended.
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Dayf - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 03, 2006

A bit of a dejavu in this hip Italian restaurant in London. The setting, the lights and the decor reminded me of Basilico and Ripe Tomato, just to name a few.

Although the menu has a limited selection to choose from, the food is excellent and well presented. The pasta is fresh and home made: my spaghetti chitarra with black squid ink, prawns, rocket and cherry tomatoes were delicious.

The wine list has some good Italian names, some of which are very rare to find in London, but they are significantly overpriced.

The service is very friendly, although a bit slow (we had to ask for the bill 3 times)
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CG
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Astonished by the food and the wine, service was excellent as was the decor (although some of the restaurant is in the basement, which is were we sat, you feel comfortable). Downside would be it is a little expensive, but in line with other Italian hip restaurants with food is far far better.
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Robin - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Monday, November 28, 2005

I visited this restaurant because I have been searching for good Italian food in London for over eight years and have just decided to leave London. I was keen to put an end to my search and had been told Locanda Ottoemezzo it was the best Italian food in the capital, without exception and this proved to be the case.

The starters were beautifully presented and flavoured. Fresh figs and buffalo mozzarella salad and carpaccio of sea bass, the latter being a recommendation of the owner.

Both of us chose the filetto for main. Quite simply this was the best steak I have ever eaten. Fresh and tender Argentinean fillet roasted for a short time encased in rock salt and herbs to bring out the most beautiful flavours in the rare meat, with no hint of the salt. I recently sent back a much inferior fillet in a supposed specialist steakhouse, for which I was charged £20. This made Locanda OttoeMezzo’s £21 seem excellent value. The meat was prepared rare and was perfect, with a delicate deep flavour. The steak was accompanied by perfect sautéed potatoes.

The Terranera wine was selected by the owner and worked perfectly, at £27 a bottle it was good value and was one of the cheaper options on the wine list.

The atmosphere in the restaurant is beautiful and the three dining areas have a relaxed and friendly ambience. Service was friendly and unobtrusive, with excellent knowledge about the cuisine and wine. The décor is film posters and album sleeves, adding to the feeling of eating in your best friends dining room.

Bill for 3 courses for one person and two for another was £120 including service. I never have said that £120 for two people to eat could be good value, however it was. Forget the flash names, celebrity chefs and over-hyped venues in central London, after nearly nine years I have finally found the best Italian food in London and despite moving far away, I will be back for more on my next visit to the smoke.

I feel the first review of this restaurant is rather unfair as the reviewer was obviously expecting something else and may not have been expecting to pay for such a high quality food. Ottoemezzo is well worth saving for that special occasion.
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Ian
Monday, October 17, 2005