La Collina

This is a proper, "genuine Italian" restaurant in London. Most of the dishes are from Northern-Western Italy and, for what I've seen and tasted, they are exactly like they would be prepared in my home place (yes, I'm Italian) with the same attention to ingredients. Unlike many so-called Italian restaurants that have adapted their menu to a more... international audience.

One important thing to say is that - despite general belief - there is nothing like generic "Italian food": 99% of Italian dishes are regional, and they vary a lot not only from north to south, but even from province to province. So, paradoxically, in order for a restaurant to be proper Italian, it must be indeed Regional.

La Collina ticks all my boxes, when it comes to quality of food.

I'm not much concerned with service, as long as it isn't terribly rude. In fact don't personally like waiters trying to please me by creeping at my feet, distributing fake smiles, and asking me every 3 minutes "is it everything alright Sir?". Service at La Collina is just what it should be, in my opinion: professional and essential.
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Paolo
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, May 20, 2008

I'm happy to say that maybe now La Collina - italian restaurant in Primrose Hill is the winner. the service and the food there are greats! I think is one of the best restaurant in london.
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Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 7
Monday, March 17, 2008

Six of us went to La Collina last night. The restaurant itself is quite nice, and we had a nice big table upstairs (downstairs looked really poky). The guy who 'welcomed' us couldn't have been less interested in us - and all the other customers looked really miserable.

Anyway, the service was just rubbish all night. Our waiter was charmless, inattentive, and occasionally actually rude. At least he spoke some English - unlike the others.

The food was disappointing. Our mozzarella starter was tasteless and my boyfriend's braised veal thing was slimy and disgusting. My lobster pasta was actually good - perhaps the pasta is better than the meat dishes.

The bill was really expensive. And despite really rubbish service the restaurant charges you 12.5% service on the bill. And then Mr Charisma overcharged the cards until someone noticed the mistake. No apology.....

Final touch was to start bleaching the kitchen area at about 11pm which totally stank the whole place out. Lovely!
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Fiona
Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 3
Saturday, January 19, 2008

I live in Primrose Hill and was a big fan of the other two Italian restaurants on this site-- Vegia Zena and La superba. I like La Collina but am not really sure what the fuss is all about. It is good, but not great. I don't think the menus here are as creative, balanced or seasonal as at either Vegia Zena or La Collina...also they have hardly any selection at all of contorni (which the other two had in spades). If you like meat, meat and more meat...this is the place for you. An Italian menu is all about balance, and this place doesn't quite get it right.

Overall, it is a good local Italian but frankly I thought its two predecessors were much, much better.
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Robin
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Friday, March 16, 2007

This restaurant is a real un-sung hero. If you love fish - then this is absolutely delicious and the meat looked good too.

It is small friendly and has the air of a family run restaurant whilst still being really efficient and professional. I would highly recommend it.

As for value for money - just great
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Pippa Dale
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Thursday, March 15, 2007

Was almost completely empty when I went on a Sunday lunchtime. This was genuinely surprising cos the food was great, the atmospehere (well...) was informal and the prices very reasonable indeed... Recommended.
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Matt
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Monday, July 10, 2006