Cibo

26 years ago when my daughter was born, for the for 6 months we did not go out to dinner.  I had saved up enough for a blow out, arranged for the M-i-L to babysit and my wife gave me a choice of 2 restaurants to pick from.  Although half way across London I chose the Italian - Cibo.  We were rewarded with the sort of meal that you could only have in Italy. 

From then on Cibo became our place, the food and hospitality has over the last 26 years always been consistantly marvelous, and now that we live outside of London it has become my family's goto place.  When I asked my rather sophisticated daughter where would she like to celebrate her birthday - she answered Cibo.

I strongly recommend you to try it, and you will know exactly what I mean.

What primarily drew me to this restaurant was that it was favourite of Celebrity Bryan Ferry of Roxy Music in the good old days when he lived in Kensington. And smooth it is too! The decor is like some Arty Italianate Costa Amalfi Villa statues and all pastels and art.You really feel transported. When I dined it was filled with old Harrovian types all very gentlemanly and sedate. Not everyones cup of tea in Shepherds Bush but OK if you are comfy with that. The bread and stuff was all really nice like real Sicily. The Squid on Spaghetti was great with real black ink etc used to advantage very unusual. Service was casually attentive and fairly relaxed You didnt feel like you had six searchlights glaring at you throughout the meal as the Manager got on with his business behind the bar. Opening hours were a bit erratic like only in Evenings sometimes. Pricey but worth it a real experience just to say youve dined there. You really tune into Ferrys'taste .