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500

Address:782 Holloway Road, London N19 3JH
Tel:020 7272 3406
Email:
Website: Visit 500 website
Price: £35.00Wine: £12.50 Champagne: £33.50
Opening Hours:Tues-Sat 12N-3pm Tues-Sun 5.30-10pm

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Known for their love of wine, women & song, Italian men also have a soft spot for a small Fiat car. The 500, or ‘cinquecento’, is a shared passion of chef Mario Magli & manager Giorgio Pili, who both did a few circuits with some of London’s Italian culinary stars before taking the wheel at their own venture. Service here is genuinely effusive. The ‘good, honest, no-nonsense Italian cooking’ sees high-quality ingredients expertly fashioned into the likes of warm carpaccio of sea bass, gnocchi with a rich sausage ragù, grilled lamb cutlets with Jerusalem artichokes, or tender rabbit with pine nuts & black olives. Desserts are in the tiramisu, pannacotta or semifreddo mould, & the Italian wine list is as keenly priced as the rustic food. The location & decor (bare wooden floors & tables) might be mundane, but overall 500 is reckoned to be a ‘triumph’.

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Reader reviews of 500:

Gianluca D.
Reviews: 1

Gianluca D. ( 40s, Male )

According to my opinion, it's one of the under-rated, hidden gems in town. Staff are attentive, friendly. Food is simply executed, full of flavour and not the last generous portions.
I have tried tagliere 500, gnocchi al sugo di salciccia, costolette d'abbacchio and tiramisu'.
Heaven at earthly prices.

27 January 2010
Overall:10
Food and Drink:10
Service:10
Atmosphere:10
Value for Money:10
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Claire H.

Claire H. ( )

We arrived on an exceptionally busy and wet Thursday evening. We hadn't booked, so sat down in a small cozy area at the back and had a few beers whilst waiting for a table. We were looked after by charismatic and warm waiting staff and brought a complimentary selection of gorgeous bread and, after having waited around 45 minutes due to an unfortunately timed rain storm, a few samples of dishes from their menu. The food was all carefully and lovingly prepared and bursting with freshness and flavour – from the rustic home made breads and the cheese & mint filled fried tortellini we sampled at the start to the seafood ravioli which melted in the mouth. An absolute gem. I can't wait to go back.

20 August 2009
Overall:9
Food and Drink:9
Service:10
Atmosphere:8
Value for Money:10
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Robert B.
Gold Reviewer

Robert B. ( 40s, Male, United Kingdom )

Despite occupying probably the worst location in North London, it’s a triumph! Went as part of a large..ish party of eight, including an Italian, so it was always going to be interesting. It’s a small room, and the decor is probably the only thing that lets it down, all the women in our party announced the colour scheme as a bit of a brown nightmare. Has the feel of a family-run business, service was friendly, attentive and knowledgeable. The food was extremely good, particularly the starters, recommend the charcuterie. It’s what you would describe as “good honest, no nonsense Italian” strong flavours and rustic. Wine list is small but there is really good value to be had, particularly with the reds. We rolled out. Good for taking people who haven’t eaten in quite some time.

January 2009
Overall:10
Food and Drink:10
Service:9
Atmosphere:10
Value for Money:10
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Tamsin F.
Reviews: 1

Tamsin F. ( 30s, Female, United Kingdom )

We went to 500 last night and the we found the food, amazing, truly stunning flavours. Nothing quite like it. As we live quite nearby, we definitely will be back again to try more of their expert Italian dishes. Tamsin

November 2008
Overall:10
Food and Drink:10
Service:10
Atmosphere:10
Value for Money:10
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