Locanda Ottoemezzo

Fun & Romantic

Ottoemezzo is a really fun, unorthodox place. Set over two floors with an almost cave-like lower ground floor dining room and with more less intimate tables at street level, the atmosphere is the star here. Just off Kensington Square, the setting is very hush-hush and truely romantic. Equally fun for a dinner with out-of-town visitors for “something different”. The food is perfectly fine without hitting any exquisite high notes as one could expect at other famous Italian eateries in London. This really is the only nagging I have: the setting, service and atmosphere are great but somehow the food seems to combine what seem like rather exquisite ingredients with an overall slightly underwhelming result. However, as indicated above this is not as much a foodie destination as one for a soaking up a special atmosphere otherwise only found behind unmarked doors in Milan, Rome or Verona.

An excellent choice for a group party in Kensignton.

It's a sprawling restaurant full of seperate rooms and nooks and crannys, covered in Italian movie memorabillia. Lots of Fellini posters, rare album covers and even some signed knickers and a negligee in the basement (am hoping from a well known 60's siren and not from a happy punter).

The food was excellent, I got food envy looking at the scallop starter. I had the foie gras with a grape salad which was delicious, followed by their showcase main course the risotto served in a huge parmesan rind. I loved the performance of dishing the rissoto onto my plate and scraping lots of fresh parmesan into it in the process. Other succesful dishes on the table included their special main course of rabbit ragu ravioli in a butter and sage sauce.

The homemade ice cream was beautifully done and the presentation of the chocolate tart and tiramisu looked fantastic.

It's worth noting they had a truffle based special menu which included a starter of stuffed guinea fowl with white truffles at £32. I've never had truffles before and at those prices I am not going to in the near future either.

A lot of reviews about this restaurant mention the prices. It is undeniably expensive. It was perfect for our occasion and if you won't balk at a goats cheese salad starter at £15 you'll love it. I just couldn't justify those prices if I was eating without the expense account.

The service was excellent and it's a really unsual restaurant with reliable Italian dishes. Charming, quirky, friendly and very very expensive!