L'ulivo has long been an established part of central London's restaurant scene, having opened 15 years ago first on the Strand, and then only moments away on Villiers Street near Leicester Square. The restaurant's aim has always been to provide fuss-free Italian cuisine with simplicity at its heart. Staying true to the Italian philosophy of quality ingredients and simple cooking, L'ulivo's chefs change the menus with seasons and receive deliveries every day of fresh produce. And, if they can't find what they're looking for, they often wander down to the local food market to select it by hand.
The restaurant's decor style reflects its relaxed ethos, creating a homely feel with strong Italian influences. Here, rustic interiors, ambient lighting and a mix of natural materials and tones come together for a Mediterranean aesthetic.
The menu follows a classical Italian format with several courses and plenty of variation. Start with something from the antipasti selection such as mushrooms in creamy gorgonzola sauce served with home-made bread or fresh deep fried squid coated in breadcrumbs served with tartar sauce. If you're planning on dining like the Italians do, you'll want to warm up with a pasta course, of which there are many. We like the sound of the soft gnocchi cooked with mushrooms, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and white wine sauce and the spaghetti pasta cooked with Mediterranean prawns, mussels, peeled prawns and squid, garlic, basil, white wine in a light tomato sauce.
For mains, there's plenty of choice with fish dishes such as pan-baked swordfish steak, meat dishes such as chicken escalope in golden breadcrumbs served with spaghetti Napoli and plenty of sides too, ranging from roast potatoes and spinach to mixed vegetables. If pizza is more your thing, there's plenty to go at here, with over 10 different topping options. Whatever you're craving, L'ulivo's menu has something for everyone.