57 L'Osteria

Hungry, on our way home from a late night at work, my girlfriend and I decided to try our chance and see if the kitchen was still serving (10pm). We were welcomed in, and the food arrived presto. The prices, for the quality of the food, is excellent. That is, until now. We just walked by the place, which has just gotten screaming good reviews, and noticed the prices had been hiked up. Initrigued, considering our fatigue as reason to this illusion, we decided to inquire inside. When asked, they seemed intrigued and slightly ashamed by the question, but responded that they had increased the prices. Risotto just went up 2 pounds, pizza 1.50, and the rest about 1-2 pounds. Since when does inflation result in such an increase in prices for the customer. I realise London is continuously getting more expensive, but for a restaurant, where margins are already ridiculously high, it doesn't make sense.

L'Osteria is good, yes, but it has lost a large fraction of its customer base by the simple fact that it cannot justify these prices.
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Peter Sanders
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, May 07, 2008

I have been eating here on an irregular basis for the last six years. An owner managed business and it shows. They don't know me by name but always treat me like a regular. Food is fresh, well prepared, generous portions and service is good. They occasionally 'forget' that they have left the grappa on your table.
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Michael
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, May 02, 2008

I have eaten at L'Osteria on many occasions. Having lived in Italy for several years I am quite fussy about italian food, which I also eat at home.

L'Osteria is very friendly and welcoming, (accogliente). Both Davide and Giorgio take their business very seriously, and the food is excellent. Pizzas are prepared in true italian style, they do excellent pasta and a variety of gnocchi dishes that I have not seen anywhere else in London, but I have never been disappointed by main dishes either.

They have a good range of reasonably priced wines, italian bottled beer and they have good quality grappas among the usual liqueurs and spirits.

The quite intimate cellar bar is my location of choice in Central London for a party with friends, and I have used it several times.
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Mike Clarke
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Ate here last night to celebrate our anniversary. The food was delicious and very reasonably priced. I started with a caprese - which had generous helpings of mozzarella and very fresh tomatoes/avocado - followed by the Gnocchi Pomodoro e Basilico - also very nice - and not a pasta that I've managed to find much before outside of Italy. My other half had Mussels to start and a Vesuvio pizza - which had generous helpings of fresh rocket on top. They also offer savoury and sweet pancakes - we had the latter for the dessert. Waitress was very friendly and helpful - and I was quite happy to tip (despite being generally stingy!) - they don't presume to add the service to the bill automatically which is nice (and rare) to see in London these days. Highly recommended and very reasonable. Meal for two including a bottle of wine and liqueur coffees to finish came to about £60 in total (inc a 10% tip).
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Andrew Sands
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Friday, June 23, 2006

Well, I can only agree with the other review. This restaurant is a find. Totally reasonable price. Great range - our group had fish, pizza, veal, salads and pasta - it is a restaurant and not just a pizzeria, as I have seen it described elsewhere on the Internet. The staff were friendly, the decor [we were downstairs and didn't see upstairs] was nice with the day's specials chalked onto the ends of barrels. There's quite a bit of wood, which is nice. The portions were generous and when I suggested dessert, there were groans.... If you're in the City, jump on the tube for a couple of stops, save yourself £25 and give it a go. We will definitely be back.
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Paul Gough
Tuesday, November 08, 2005