Strada (New Burlington St)

My lovely wife and Baby G came up to visit me at the office the other day, they have been up before but not at lunchtime so I was the faced with the quandary of where you can dine comfortably with a baby in the West End. The West End is not short of eateries but space is at a premium and I can think of a few places where turning up with baby and paraphinalia would not welcomed. We decided to go chain and picked Strada off Savile Row. We had been before in our courting days and as italian chains go I think this is the best. We pitched up about 13:30 and though the places was busy we were shown to a good table for two with plenty of room to park the baby.

As per usual he liked all the noise and bussle which allowed us to get on with enjoying lunch. We shared one of their tasty breads to start with and followed this with some pasta. It may not be quite like mamma used to make but it was as nice portion cooked from fresh. My lovely wife went for a creamy fish combination which was very tasty whilst my sausage version was good but lacked a bit of power. However it did the trick. We skipped desert for some coffees and baby G continued to be contented.

The service was very friendly and efficient. I've got a lot of time for Strada as a chain. It looks modern, the menu is varied and updated from the usual spag bol and garlic bread. The well run ones like this are very good though I did have a few issues with service at their Marylebone outpost in the past. I also found the bill to be pretty much what I expected and reasonable. I also like the fact that unlike Pizza Express and Carluccio's they aren't everywhere. I'm all for supporting the independent restaurants but it also good to see a chain getting it right.
Comment on this reader review

david ginsberg - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Friday, October 08, 2010

This was my first visit to a Strada. It is a large space with an old Tudor style interior. Visited early around 5:30pm, they were very quite but started to fill up by the time we left.

The owner/lady was quite abrupt to both myself and my partner. She warmed up though possibly once we seemed surprised by her attitude.

I had Mozarella in Carozza as a starter which was quite nice. The Pizza main was very good, a very enjoyable pizza! My partner had pasta with meatballs, this was quite nice but the sauce a little bland. Was much better after some parmesan and a touch of salt.

Did enjoy and would return again.
Comment on this reader review

gianni - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 6
Wednesday, February 10, 2010

Very good as every Strada I have eaten in, though this one and the one in St. Paul's are the one I have been in most often.

I'd make the same consideration here as I have made for the one in St. Pau's, only difference is the service perhaps a bit slower.

They'll give you a free limoncello for the asking, though.

With Strada you might not have the best pizza in London, but you are never disappointed. Enough in my book.
Comment on this reader review

Septimus Harding - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, September 01, 2009

Pizza was good. Risotto frutti di mare was the worst food I have ever seen! It was entirely liquid, approx. 5% rice, the grains could be found in the 3 mussel shells, it was 100% tasteless, looked like a soup that was left in the microwave for too long.

Upon my complaint the manager took it off the bill and explained different chefs had different methods.

Service was efficient yet as cold as ever at Strada. No smile, no warm words, it goes with the atmosphere I suppose.
Comment on this reader review

Joe Black
1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, February 10, 2009