Naked Chef’s flagship central London site delivers rustic Italian

[The Patriot]

Naked Chef’s flagship central London site delivers rustic Italian

02-24-2012 03:03 AM

Published:
Fri, 2012-02-24 10:49


Naked Chef’s flagship central London site delivers rustic Italian


Heather Joy


feature_story_photo:
Heather Joy






Naked Chef’s flagship central London site delivers rustic Italian

Heather Joy
“I should have been Italian,” explains Jamie Oliver on his web site about why he choose to focus on Italian food for his restaurants, Jamie’s Italian.

The bustling restaurant located in the heart of Convent Garden in London is in a great location for enjoying a pre or post-theater meal.

After locating the famous Naked Chef’s restaurant and being informed by the hostess that there was a one hour wait for a table for two, I managed to squeeze a spot at the small bar that serves two Italian bottled beers – Messina (£3.85/$6.15) and Moretti (£3.95/$6.30). Selections of house spirits starting at £3.10/$4.95 are also available to lessen the pain of the wait for your table.

If your wait is longer and you need to settle the stomach rumbling order a nibble from the bar snack menu. The sweet mini chili peppers or the “world’s best olives on ice” are a tasty option at only £4.45/$7.10 and £3.75/$6.00 respectively.

After only 25 minutes of our expected hour wait the host guided us through a slalom course of tables, down a flight of stairs and into the cellar dining room. The dim lighting, wine filled display cabinets, and rustic motif add an air of romance that provides the restaurant with a hint of exclusivity over other Italian-themed establishments.

And the wine is much more than just decoration. The waitstaff was knowledgeable about the compact all Italian wine list. Most of the approximately 24 vintages, including organic house vino, are available by the glass, 500 ml decanter, or by the bottle.

The waiter suggested we start with the Italian bread selection which is freshly cut from a selection of rosemary focaccia, artisan sourdough, crispy carta di musica, ciabatta, and tortano – all served with extra-virgin olive oil and aged balsamic.

I was intrigued by the selection of specials on the restaurant’s blackboard and selected the cauliflower and Romanesco soup. Definitely a good choice the soup was served piping hot and sent my taste buds salivating at the first smell of the soup’s delicious aromas. My dinner companion selected the crispy squid (£5.75/$9.20) from the antipasta selection of the basic dinner menu. Served alongside a pot of garlic mayo the squid looked perfectly golden brown.

The wild mushroom panzerotti filled with porcini and brown caps, chili, thyme, ricotta and parmesan (£10.35/$16.50) and wild truffle risotto with finely minced black truffle with butter and parmesan (£11.50/$18.40) called to me.

However, after speaking with the waiter I elected the meatball carbonara served Roman-style with lemon cream sauce and rigatoni pasta (£11.25/$18.00). The fresh al dente rigatoni was highlighted by the cream sauce that provided a delightful tang of lemon with each bite. The three gum-ball sized meatballs were a little disappointing. While they were flavorful and tender, there just weren’t enough of them.

My dinner guest enjoyed the prawn linguine which was brimming with fried garlicky prawns with shaved fennel, tomatoes, chili and rocket (£12.50/$20).

The menu also includes a choice of seconds that ranges from flash-grilled feather steak with sage, prosciutto and a spicy tomato salsa (£13.35/$21.35) to Anglesey Sea Bass whole roasted with crunchy sweet and sour vegetables (£16.95/$27.10).

The highlight of the evening meal came with dessert a rich chocolate, raspberry, and amaretto brownie served with vanilla ice cream (£4.95/$7.90) that titillated the taste buds.

DINING DETAILS:

Jamie’s Italian
11 Upper St. Martin’s Lane
London, WC2H 9FB

Tel: 0203 326 6390
Fax: 0203 2857617

OPENING TIMES:

Monday - Saturday
12 noon – 11:30 p.m.
Sunday
12 noon – 10:30 p.m.

RESERVATIONS:

Monday - Friday lunchtimes - bookings of any size taken
Monday - Thursday evenings - bookings for parties of 6 or more taken
Friday evenings – Sunday- no bookings
The bookings line is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.

NEAREST TUBE STATIONS:

3 minute walk from Leicester Square tube station (Cranbourne Street exit)
5 minute walk from Covent Garden tube station








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