Formerly Paolo's, fans of this place will be pleased to hear that the name change was instituted by Paolo himself and he still walks the tables each night, chatting with customers and challenging them to eat more. The restaurant has been re-branded, decorated with plush curtains to deaden the noise, and a new menu has been introduced, but it has retained the intimate, friendly style of former years and is packed nightly with delighted regulars and lucky passers by who have stumbled across a surprising gem, just off the Tottenham Court Road.
Ushered to our seats with an agreeable amount of friendly fuss, we opted for a four-course blow-out as soon as we sat down. The place has an irresistible air of indulgent fun. A glass of Prosecco was the perfect compliment to starters of seared scallops and foie gras. The latter was a little drowned in balsamic sauce, the only quibble in the whole meal. Our waiter suggested an excellent Cannonau Reserva, a subtle red, for £26. Spaghettini with mullet roe and grated vegetables, and penne with sundried tomatoes and basil were both full of flavour and pleasantly light, which was lucky as I was almost defeated by an exceptionally tender and tasty lamb shank to follow. My companion wisely opted for sea bass with baby artichokes and leaks. Falling down in our reviewing responsibilities, we were unable to manage even a small pudding, but settled for a glass of Limoncello and some wonderful biscotti.
The meal was a triumph. My jetsetting dining companion was impressed that such a gourmet pleasure palace could also enjoy a completely unpretentious, friendly atmosphere. The staff were delightful, helpful and friendly, and a short chat with Paolo made us feel like old friends.
Camerino is a real treasure. Combining reasonable prices, superb food and a charming old-world atmosphere, this is one of the best all-round dining experiences in the West End.
Vasco and Piero opened their eponymous restaurant in 1971 above the Academy cinema in Oxford Street and The Pavilion moved to its current location at ...More
Bam-Bou is located in a Georgian town house, furnished throughout in French-Vietnamese style. This building has a historical past – it once hosted Ezra Pound’s ... More
Centrally located in Fitzrovia, otherwise known as NOHO, it’s a short walk from The Rathbone to Oxford Street, Soho and London’s theatre district. The hotel ... More
A smart, fashionably furnished yet traditional hotel in the centre of town with first-class service, The Bloomsbury Hotel is great value for money among the ... More
Steve Lazarides' Rathbone Place gallery spans just under 4,000 square feet of space for exhibitions, studios, and offices in a five-storey Georgian building. Home ...More
Open to the public as well as construction professionals, The Building Centre houses a permanent exhibition of a 1:1500 scale model of Central London. Current ... More
Almost Famous started out selling limited runs of classy denim, but this flagship store marks their expansion into a whole range of elegant ladies clothes. ... More
Set up in NYC in 2003 by Oliver Sweatman, Larry Paul and Mark Gilbertson, SHARPS the barbers brings their own brand of 'necessary maintenance that ... More
English [Out There!] takes a very hands-on approach to learning English. The course places an emphasis on using what you have learned. Students are taken ... More
Swimming lessons for children and aquaphobic adults. This is one of the more popular swimming schools in London, and one of the most long-running, with ...More
In the shadow of both Centrepoint and St Giles-in-the-Fields Church, hidden from most tourists and residents alike, lies this beautiful West End garden. Originally a ... More
Prohibition-era themed basement bar in Fitzrovia, with a good line in retro comedy. The joke is that it's a bar dodging the law by masquerading ...More
This
was once a sleazy Soho strip club, as the name suggests, and it really
shows. Deep reds are the dominant colour, with mirrors, booths and
velvet curtains ... More
Get the FREE monthly guide to London entertainment, arts, concerts, sport, book signings, and essential event information delivered directly to your inbox.
LondonTown.com has special discounts every week. The amount of discount will vary depending on the dates you are coming and how far in advance you book. All discounts are subject to availability.
Show favourites only
Report a bug, make a suggestion or just tell us your thoughts.
Formerly Paolo's, fans of this place will be pleased to hear that the name change was instituted by Paolo himself and he still walks the tables each night, chatting with customers and challenging them to eat more. The restaurant has been re-branded, decorated with plush curtains to deaden the noise, and a new menu has been introduced, but it has retained the intimate, friendly style of former years and is packed nightly with delighted regulars and lucky passers by who have stumbled across a surprising gem, just off the Tottenham Court Road.
_GS153732.jpg "The Bloomsbury Hotel (formerly Jurys Great Russell Street)")
![English [Out There!]](/lycos/assets/MN089802_85x142.jpg "English [Out There!]")
