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Artigiano
Artigiano is a local Italian in Belsize Park. I’ve been here a few times. It looks wonderful. Clean and spaced out tables, inviting. A real neighbourhood gem. HOwever something about it always lets it down. A place that is capable of giving an excellent experience but yet a few times has had something lack when I have visited. The food is excellent but last time I ate there the inside of my ravioli was cold, which for an Italian restaurant is a no no. Another time I was there in a large group and the service was a let down. It’s also somewhere that sits people close together when there is plenty of room to be spaced out and have some privacy.
The food is excellent. The service good but insincere. I would eat here. It’s so much more than a local Italian but doesn’t quite make it to the classic Italian restaurant that it could be. It would only take a bit more of a step up with an attention to detail for this place to realize it’s potential.
A Maze ing
Maze is one of Gordon Ramsey’s restaurants. It’s on Grosvenor Square, near to Oxford Circus. It’s very easy to find and get to.
Although I can fault the snooty woman at the check in who deemed it fine to think I enjoyed standing in front of her for kicks and seemed confused that I might have a reservation, I cannot fault the rest of the service. Our Head Waiter had more than a touch of Tom Cruise about him and gave us service with a crazy eyed smile that said, ‘I only want to serve you, you are the most fun’; he had me at hello. Everyone working in there was friendly and helpful and you could tell got on really well which made the atmosphere really fun and somewhat cheeky.
I can’t fault the food, or the price. Gastro Pubs are charging outrageous prices for main courses these days and this place on average was £12.50 for a plate. The plates are there to share and you can have as many or as little as you want. We had six between two, which was plenty and I can’t fault one of them. If you are a vegetarian who doesn’t eat fish though give it a miss. I am talking, crispy veal sweetbread, scallops, pork belly.
Did I mention the wine list is on an ipad? Ridiculous. It made me love the place as much as the sommelier’s red spectacles which I did love. They made his face and the strangest thing is that he looked a bit like Heston. Perhaps the employees all moonlight as famous doubles? Drinks and wines are not a bargain but they have to make money somehow people. This is not your local dirty boozer.
So if you like food then go. It’s not a snooty place to go and the food is worth every penny. So many people think places in London have to be expensive in town but they are competition for your local try hard pub serving what is a Marks and Sparks meal at triple the price. This is good food.
Good for girly catch-ups, dates, sitting on your own and staring at the staff pretending you have a date. Casual smart and trendy but not up it’s own arse which is down to the people working there. Food cost me about £60 for two people. You can call direct or book last minute on Opentable a live reservation service. For a good night out I’m giving it five stars. Lets start this blog with a bang people.




