Tipped

Nothing wrong, nothing special

July 30, 2009

This is pretty much the definition of a middle of the road Italian. It serves pizza and pasta in decent portions that are perfectly acceptable. It is capable of handling large groups and the walls are filled with cluttered film and music memorabilia. The staff are friendly, the food arrives quickly.

The fresh fish seem to be the real choice on the menu: generous, cooked well and looking great.

Ultimately though there is nothing to get really excited about and it doesn't feel like a place you would go out of your way to experience.

Keywords: authentic Italian, cuisine: italian, italian, authentic Italian, pizza, fish

buon mercato e molto allegro

February 17, 2009

Fantastic cheap and very cheerful italian restaurant, went last night for dinner with friends, despite being a Monday the place was absolutely packed, fortunately we had booked in advance. Pizzas are large and very tasty, I had the Ravioli in butter and sage which was superb. Eight of us dined, few bottles of decent chianti, main courses, salads and coffee and all for £20 a head. Very similar to Buona Sera (
http://www.tipped.co.uk/listings/6258/buona-sera) for the South London contingent amoung you, although i'd argue the pasta is better at Ciao Bella...

Keywords: authentic Italian

The best local Italian in London

October 02, 2008

Absolutely the best and most friendly family-run local Italian restaurant in London. Absolutely packed every lunch and dinner, it is def best-advised to book ahead, especially if you want a table outside or upstairs - you def don't want to be stuck downstairs. No matter what you eat or drink (always go for the house red or white which is excellent) it never seems to come to more than £20 per head. And the owner and staff make a real effort for regulars to find you a good table - really showing they value you coming back. House favourites are the seafood pasta cooked in a bag, while I have a neighbour who has never ordered anything beyond the calzone as it is so good. It is buzzy, inevitably it will be somebody's birthday when you are there, and the piano-playing verges on the kitsch - but heck, it all adds to why my friends and I love going there. And yes, quite nice you can wait out the lineup at the Lamb pub next door!

Garlic with everything

September 30, 2008

Always mobbed, no matter the time or day, so be sure to book. If you don't book and have time to spare, you can have a drink at The Lamb pub next door and the Ciao Bella staff will come and get you when your table is ready. Service is brisk and borderline brusque, but it's a very buzzy and busy place, so this can be excused. The tables are very close together throughout, but outside dining is recommended (they have heaters when it's cold) as the ground floor restaurant can be incredibly noisy, especially if there's a large party in the room, and the downstairs tables are too close to the loo and smell vaguely of cleaning product and garlic.

Best italian in London??

January 17, 2008

Ive eaten at Ciao Bella two times now and am ready to return for a third. The staff are all Italian and offer a good, friendly service and the food is good traditional italian. Highly recommended!

Its worth booking ahead because it's always packed out. I was drinking with a group of friends at a great pub next door called The Lamb before popping in to Ciao Bella for a bite to eat. As we hadnt booked we had to wait an hour before a table came available but the maitre'd was kind enough to come and find us in the pub.

The portions were very generous and the bill for 5 came to around £80 with a couple of starters, 5 pasta/pizza dishes, a couple of beers each and some coffees - so very reasonable. You get free olives, chunks of parmesan and bread sticks when you sit down which is a nice touch, as is the pianist.

I will certainly be returning!

Keywords: genuine italian, cheap, lambs conduit street, pianist