Vito's

I booked for 10 for my husband's 40th birthday, which ended up being for 18 on the day... And the guys at Vito's didn't miss a beat.

I took an informal "poll" and everyone had enjoyed his/her meal, which we ordered from the main menu:

For starters: The calimari was a hit, as was tricolour salad, mussles napoleatana and scallops, fried mozzarella (?) Positive comments all around!

For mains, there was quite a variety: Lamb cutlets, tuna steak, seafood stew, several pasta dishes (bolognese, seafood linguine, etc.) and fillet steaks... Again, positive comments about the food...

Then the guys at Vito's made a special birthday cake which was really a giant delicious round layer cake-shaped tiramasu (because my hubby doesn't like chocolate but he likes tiramasu) ...delicious and a perfect end to the meal!

Service: Second to none, especially considering we had two extra at the last minute, so another table was added to the end... And how on earth did they get all 18 starters out at the same time, and 16 of the 18. mains out of the kitchen at the same time ( the steaks took a bit longer but not by much) PLUS there were 8 other diners eating at the same time... The mysteries of the restaurant kitchen and good management I suppose!

Ambiance: Not a perfect 10 though the refurb and new decorating looks great (however the giant portrait of Venus in the restaurant is a bit creepy, not at all sensitively done) but hey we don't go there for the art. Also, I am to this day not sure why the place isn't ever packed to the rafters...it used to be quite busy when we first started going there 7-8 years ago but in the past five they don't seem too busy...

Anyway-- all in all, a really great evening and the birthday was happy, so I'm happy!
Comment on this reader review

Kelise
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, June 09, 2011

There were five people in the restaurant at lunch time, so obviously there was little atmosphere. The service was slow, inattentive and inefficient, but friendly.

The food was not special. The avocado and tomato salad was chilled and dull, but OK. I ordered the chicken off the decently priced set menu, but can only report on the liver and onions, which I was given: too much sauce, too many onions, generally wet. The vegetables were a reminder of poor pub meals - a melange of boiled broccoli, carrots and green beans, with roast potato: not Italian, anyway!

Other reviewers. and my companion, have given Vito's great praise, so it is not for me to do more than assume it was an off-day. The owner is a local favourite, and has been there for a long time. Perhaps the restaurant picks up in the evening, and the service improves as it gets busier; I hope so.
Comment on this reader review

James - View all reviews by this user
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, February 24, 2010

We disagree with the other review! Just went for a Friday night meal and had a great evening. The antipasto starter was great and good value for money. We had the scallop main and one of the pasta dishes and were pleased with both. I think we will make this one of our neighbourhood favourites and there seemed to be many regulars coming in as well. I would recommend this as a nice Italian restaurant and one we will go back to soon. I do agree that the atmosphere is slightly lacking however the service was attentive and friendly.

Generally the food was of very good quality, well cooked and decent prices!
Comment on this reader review

Elle
8 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 8
Friday, January 29, 2010

First and last time I go in this Restaurant: overpriced and very bad atmosphere!!

And, over all, nothing special, considering London is plenty of very good Italian restaurants!!!
Comment on this reader review

Francesca
2 Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, December 01, 2009