Please note that since writing this blog post, Bar Italia has closed down
I’ve heard horror stories about Bar Italia. The meat-market atmosphere of the bar on a Friday night. The attitude of the waiting staff. The wrong orders being sent back time and again. And (worst of all) the mice running riot through the restaurant.
In fact, the horror stories were so compelling that I’d wished for years I’d been there for the Great Mouse Incident. Really. It would have made my little restaurant-reviewing day. (Yes, it’s true, we all secretly like writing bad reviews.) Because – of course – when I finally made it to Bar Italia last Thursday night after a few too many after-work drinks, it was all disappointingly… fine. Everything was just fine.
The prosecco (once our drinks order was finally taken) was cold and bubbly. The beetroot, Bocconcino cheese and radicchio salad was pleasantly sweet and savoury (although the lack of bread was an omission).
The ravioli filled with veal and almonds was nothing to write home about but was perfectly edible. The nuts and cream and truffle made it all a little rich and overpowering, and it lacked something green and fresh to switch up the texture and taste. But it was all very acceptable.
I looked expectantly (hopefully?) around me for a mouse to complain about, but none was forthcoming. So it is with great regret that I must inform you that if you happen to be passing the Nes around dinner time with €40 in your wallet, you might want to pop into Bar Italia for dinner.
