<![CDATA[Greater London - Camden - Holborn - Eating, Drinking and Nightlife - Italian Restaurants - Reviews]]> http://www.welovelocal.com Reviews from welovelocal.com en Busy, but you can tell why http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/camden/holborn/italian-restaurants/ciao-bella-wc1n3lz.html#r53116 At 7:00 on a Wednesday night, you wouldn't expect a restaurant which is tucked out of the way to be overly busy. Ciao Bella was, and the 2 of us only just managed to get a table. The atmosphere is lively and communal, something helped by the proximity of tables to each other, and the staff only add to this.

A huge menu with almost endless varieties of pizza and pasta, as well as various meat dishes left us spoiled for choice, and we eventually decided on a pizza and veal. Both were well worth the money, and large enough portions to satiate us -- almost enough to resist the desserts!

A meal for 2, including wine was £50, although you could easily dine for £10 each if you skip the booze.

]]> Thu, 28 Aug 2008 16:06:26 BST Restaurant http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/camden/holborn/italian-restaurants/italian-kitchen-wc1a1bh.html#r41724 If you love Italian food you will love this restaurant as the food and service is superb but you must book as you maybe standing outside wishing you had. It is a little bit pricey but worth every penny. The atmosphere of the restaurant is just right if you want a quite moment away from the hustle and bustle of London.

]]> Thu, 29 May 2008 14:22:16 BST A good chain http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/camden/holborn/italian-restaurants/strada-wc2b5dh.html#r17977 I agree with the review before. This is, yes, a chain restaurant, but Strada seems to be ahead of the game here. You don't feel like you are in a chain and the food is a cut above the rest.

The menu offers a wide choice, which I am not yet bored of and fresh tasting food all for a decent price.

Strada is probably my chain of choice.

]]> Sat, 19 Apr 2008 10:44:41 BST best italian chain restaurant http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/camden/holborn/italian-restaurants/strada-wc2b5dh.html#r6235 We discovered this by chance one day when bored in the LSE library and wanted somewhere nice to eat, and since then have been back to Strada on far too many occasions - as they are all over London. It's turned into one of those places we go when there's something to celebrate (finding a flat, getting a new job); when parents are in London and need feeding; or when you just want some reliably yummy Itlalian food.

It can feel a bit unoriginal to go to a chain restaurant, but Strada is far ahead of most. There are specials which change regularly, the pizzas are huge, and the pasta dishes are fresh and filling. Excellent desserts - especially the melting chocolate pudding. You can't really go wrong.

]]> Sun, 30 Dec 2007 18:20:28 GMT Bellissima! http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/camden/holborn/italian-restaurants/ciao-bella-wc1n3lz.html#r2891 I discovered Ciao Bella when looking for a place to have a birthday dinner and I have enjoyed many a long, lively dinner there with friends as well as smart, efficient business lunches and intimate tete-a-tetes. Upon arrival everyone gets a bowl of marinated queen olives, a small packet of grissini, and a plate of parmesan chunks. This immediately swayed me, and I was destined to adore this place forevermore. Despite the freebies, the prices don't go up with a ridiculous 'cover' charge, nor is the menu expensive. Most pasta and pizza dishes stay firmly in the £7 and under category. The food is top-notch: hearty Italian trattoria fare with an emphasis on fresh ingredients, and particular attention to Italian specialities not usually available in bog-standard pizzerias- bresaola,rucola, and parmesan salad; prosciutto crudo- and the service is second to none.

I always see the same smiling faces there and they are very accomodating, with a personal touch. They're always ready with a quip or comment, even for large groups. I went for lunch yesterday and was persuaded, nay, cajoled even, to finish the last mouthfuls of my panna cotta. 'Go on,' my waiter said, smiling cheekily. 'You can do it'. Of course I did, and I left happy and with some of my lunch money still in my pocket. Che bella.

]]> Wed, 15 Aug 2007 11:57:45 BST Eat so much that it hurts but it's cheap and it's good food http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/camden/holborn/italian-restaurants/la-porchetta-wc1n3bp.html#r2271 I was introduced to this place by some Italians a while back so it is fairly authentic. When you're inside, you'll probably notice that it's a bit of a tight squeeze or to put it more eloquently, cosy and intimate. You could almost be at Wagamamas because you are so close to your next table and it is quite noisy. However, the food is excellent and there is a lot of it. Pastas, pizzas, risottos whichever you choose the portions are massive and at between £5-7 per main, it's more than good value. They are not the most adventurous of dishes but they are good at what they do which is simple Italian dishes. One time I went with a friend whose birthday it was and we let the waiters know. They came along later during the meal to bang pans and cover my friend's face in pizza dough. It was very fun.

]]> Fri, 20 Jul 2007 16:49:50 BST Flavoursome fun http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/camden/holborn/italian-restaurants/italian-kitchen-wc1a1bh.html#r1803 This restaurant, conveniently situated between Holborn and Leicester Square, is a real find. The food was a treat from start to finish (the deep fried mozzarella was fab!) and the service was both prompt and friendly. It was also reasonable value for money, certainly for theatre land.

My only reservation was that the ambiance was a little stagnant but, then again, it was early evening and the restaurant was only half full.

All in all, worth a visit.

]]> Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:24:31 BST Flavoursome fun http://www.welovelocal.com/en/london/camden/holborn/italian-restaurants/italian-kitchen-wc1a1bh.html#r1803 This restaurant, conveniently situated between Holborn and Leicester Square, is a real find. The food was a treat from start to finish (the deep fried mozzarella was fab!) and the service was both prompt and friendly. It was also reasonable value for money, certainly for theatre land.

My only reservation was that the ambiance was a little stagnant but, then again, it was early evening and the restaurant was only half full.

All in all, worth a visit.

]]> Sun, 08 Jul 2007 21:24:31 BST