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The Ark

Address:122 Palace Gardens Terrace, London W8 4RT
Tel:020 7229 4024
Website: Visit The Ark website
Price: £45.00Wine: £14.50 Champagne: £38.00
Opening Hours:Tues-Sat 12N-3pm Mon-Sat 6.30-11pm

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Not much seems to change at this unassuming little Italian on the Kensington side of Notting Hill Gate, but – like Sophia Loren – The Ark is ageing gracefully. Summer attracts a polished crowd for lunch on the shady decked terrace; in less clement weather, diners retreat into the conservatory-like interior. The design cleverly sidesteps transient fashion for a slate-grey colour scheme with flashes of fuchsia. Flowers decorate each table. Fresh ingredients sing out in starters of, say, char-grilled asparagus & poached egg, while pasta dishes bring ‘wow’ combinations ranging from goats’ cheese & courgette to wild mushrooms, chilli, garlic & truffle butter. Gutsy mains have a more familiar Anglo-French accent: confit Barbary duck with braised chicory & bitter orange sauce, or rack of Herdwick lamb with Jerusalem artichokes, for example. Effortlessly friendly staff (readily replenishing tap water) & a £12.50 set lunch are other reasons to visit.

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Reader reviews of The Ark:

Alex W.
Reviews: 1

Alex W. ( 30s )

Went to the ark last friday night…first tried the ark for lunch when i was house hunting and decided to sample there set menu, it was a haven from the winter weather. Loved the food!!! and they were playing my favourite album, melody gardot!
The bread is to die for.
Next went back for dinner with my other half.
We both had a fantastic evening.
Friendly attentive staff, great atmosphere.
I went for the special of the evening which was lemon sole with asparagus and salsa rosti…delicious! This has now become my favourite local italian and i will returning for more!

24 February 2010
Overall:10
Food and Drink:10
Service:10
Atmosphere:9
Value for Money:9
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Alexandra B.
Reviews: 1

Alexandra B. ( 20s )

Having lived in Notting Hill for five years and always walked past The Ark, I finally booked a table. It always looks so inviting and being so hot that evening it was extremely pleasant to sit outside. The food was excellent, I expect partly due to it being privately owned and therefore the attention to detail was impeccable. I would reccomend this to anyone wanting somewhere individual, not part of a chain with atmosphere and character whilst being very down to earth. Fairly expensive but worth every penny… Thoroughly enjoyed the evening and will be going back without a doubt!

2 July 2009
Overall:10
Food and Drink:10
Service:8
Atmosphere:10
Value for Money:10
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Terezia P.

Terezia P. ( Female, Hungary )

I was just wondering around the area on a gray November day, and accidentally (& luckily) came across The Ark.
The interior was very welcoming, but being a bad smoker, I preferred the covered outside area. The waitress was very attentive, and started the heater for me. The home made breads, and especially the pesto were d e l i c i o u s.
I didn’t spend time checking the wine list, so just requested a nice dry white. I don’t know what it was, but it perfectly suited the meal.
My order: warm octopus salad with new potatoes, green beans, black olives and lemon vinaigrette as starter, followed by tagliatelle with wild mushroom, chilli, garlic and truffle butter. I can only say WOW! Both were perfect.
I finished lunch with a Sambuca and a capuccino (+ got a luscious chocolate truffle aside). Everything was excellent about the place. I warmly recommend it to everyone.
I was so hyped after this nice lunch, that even the gray November day looked friendlier :)

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