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The Italians know how to cater for a party. No mini-gherkins or pineapple chunks on sticks for our Italian confederates. They'd rather serve a plate of finely sliced parma hams and soft, creamy cheeses and get everybody leaning over the table, fighting for the last slices. That's the way to bring a group of people together Italian style and that's what Giorgio Locatteli's restaurant offers up to its city punters: great platefuls of Italian delicacies, sourced and served by guys who know their stuff.
When the Londontown.com restaurant reviewing team headed City-wards we didn't really know what to expect. Firstly, there were two menus - one, Convivium, was full of food to share, while the other was a more traditional menu with pastas and meats and fish. Being naturally adventurous types, we decided to start with a mass of meats and cheeses from the Convivium section and we weren't disappointed. There was nutty-sweet ham, and smoked, creamy-soft lard in the meats selection and a spicy, acidic pecorrino and soft, sweet Gorgonzola in the cheese plate. All were absolutely lip-smackingly delicious.
However, unsatisfied (and dedicated) reviewers that we were, we wanted to taste the pasta dishes too. Giorgio knows his stuff when it comes to pasta so the lobster sauce I had was carefully matched with the rigatoni pasta. Basically, that meant that the smooth, flavoursome sauce stuck to the pasta, giving it a deliciously gooey and lobstery coating. Alas, these two courses were so filling that we had no room for dessert, but, rest assured, our quick survey of people sitting nearby suggested that they were as good as (if not better than) the excellent main courses.
You're not going to get a more Italian restaurant in the city. Staffed by authentically stroppy waiters who serve only the finest and most carefully sourced foods, this restaurant is a real treat and should be savoured. Whether you're in the mood for a snack or a full three course meal, this Refetorrio should be top of your list for places to eat. |
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Alternative
Italian Cuisine Near Refettorio |
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| London Restaurants |
| Carluccio's |
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Garrick Street,
Covent Garden,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2E
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21 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| This is the flagship store of Carluccio's, the decent Italian chain from the loveable TV chef, Antonio. Housed in a 19th century building, it comprises ...More...
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| London Restaurants |
| Ciro's Pizza Pomodoro |
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7-8
Bishopsgate Churchyard,
The City,
London,
EC2M
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23 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Housed in an original Ottoman Hamam (Turkish Bath to you and me) in the midst of the City's soaring scrapers, the fact that this is ...More...
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Local
Restaurants Near Refettorio |
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| London Restaurants |
| Leon |
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12
Ludgate Circus,
The City,
London,
EC4M
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3 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| It's a problem. How to get a healthy, tasty lunch. We're swamped in McDonald's and Pret a Manger, but finally our search for something different, ...More...
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| London Restaurants |
| Wagamama |
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109
Fleet Street,
The City,
London,
EC4A
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3 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Taking inspiration from Japanese ramman-noodle bars, Wagamama is the ultimate in high-quality, fast food. Huge bowls of steaming, soupy noodles, chicken dumplings with a chilli-soy ...More...
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Local
Hotels Near Refettorio |
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| London Hotels |
| Crowne Plaza London The City |
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19
New Bridge Street,
London,
EC4V
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0 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Rising from the very heart of the Square Mile, the listed faēade of an early 20th Century building on the site of Henry VIII's Bridewell ...More...
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| London Hotels |
| Club Quarters St Pauls |
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24
Ludgate Hill,
London,
EC4M7DR
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4 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| This neat and simple hotel gets all the basics right. The prices are sensible, the rooms are simply and attractively decorated, there's a decent little ...More...
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Local
Event Near Refettorio |
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| London Event |
| Christmas Carols at Temple Church |
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Temple Church,
Fleet Street,
EC4Y
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5 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| If the renowned author Dan Brown staggered through the vaulted archway of any grand London place of worship to sing carols this Christmas, it would ...More...
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| London Event |
| St Paul's Christmas Carols & Services 2009 |
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St Paul's Cathedral,
St Paul's Churchyard,
EC4M
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7 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Few places are better for traditional Christmas services and carols than St Paul's, the spiritual home of Great Britain. To meet the increasing demand, this ...More...
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Local
Entertainment Near Refettorio |
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12 minutes distance from Refettorio
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12 minutes distance from Refettorio
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14 minutes distance from Refettorio
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Local
Sights and Attractions Near Refettorio |
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| Temple Church |
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Inner Temple,
Fleet Street,
Holborn,
London,
EC4Y
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5 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Temple Church sits within the Inner Temple of the Inns of Court, and was originally consecrated in 1185 as the spiritual and actual home of ...More...
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| London Sights and Attractions |
| St Paul's Cathedral |
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St Paul's Churchyard,
The City,
London,
EC4M
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7 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Working, domed, city cathedral designed by Wren. Being the cathedral of the capital city, St Paul's is officially the spiritual home of Great Britain. The ...More...
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Local
Shopping Near Refettorio |
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| London Shopping |
| The Natural Kitchen |
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15-17
New Street Square,
Fetter Lane,
The City,
London,
EC4A
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7 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Organic, wild and artisan food is supplied by the likes of the River Cottage at this food emporium which, is the second Natural Kitchen to ...More...
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| London Shopping |
| Nicholas James |
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16-18
Hatton Garden,
Holborn,
London,
EC1N
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11 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| A trip to Hatton Garden is a rite of passage for any newly engaged couple but it can also be a confusing one. With so ...More...
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Local
Education Near Refettorio |
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| London Education |
| Career Energy |
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4-6
Staple Inn,
Holborn,
London,
WC1V
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11 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Situated in the heart of London, Career Energy – formed in March 2002 - offers comprehensive advice on careers, career change and job searching. They’ll ...More...
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| London Education |
| Courtauld Institute of Art |
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Somerset House,
Covent Garden,
London,
WC2R
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13 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| The Courtauld is one of the most prestigious art schools in the country, affiliated with the Oxbridge system and boasting a huge private location and ...More...
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Local
Leisure Near Refettorio |
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| London Leisure |
| Chang's Hapkido Academy |
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Topnotch Health Club,
3
Tudor Street,
The City,
London,
EC4Y
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1 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Grandmaster Gedo Chang's Hapkido martial arts schools emphasises practical self-defence, confidence, balance and fitness.
The ancient Korean martial art of Hapkido is made up of three ...More...
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| London Leisure |
| Urban Golf |
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12
Smithfield Street,
The City,
London,
EC1A
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9 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| OK, so you may not be able to soak up the rays on this indoor course but it’s a brilliant idea that has been stylishly ...More...
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Local
Pubs Near Refettorio |
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| London Pubs |
| The Tipperary |
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66
Fleet Street,
The City,
London,
EC4Y
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3 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Visit this pub and you’ll soon find out it’s really not a long way to Tipperary. In fact it’s merely a ten minute walk ...More...
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| London Pubs |
| Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese |
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145
Fleet Street,
The City,
London,
EC4A
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4 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Sprawling 17th century tavern with rabbit-warren of bars and a rich history.
Steeped in history, this pub’s story stretches back through the reigns of fifteen monarchs. ...More...
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Local
Nightlife Near Refettorio |
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| London Nightlife |
| Fabric |
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77a
Charterhouse Street,
Clerkenwell,
London,
EC1M
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12 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Built on the site of a Victorian meat cellar, Fabric continues to boast the most sensational line-ups in the capital. Its global reputation is founded ...More...
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| London Nightlife |
| LSE Student Union |
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East Building,
Houghton Street,
Holborn,
London,
WC2A
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12 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| Cheap, cheerful and drunken are three words that spring immediately to mind when you think of a student union - and LSE is guilty as ...More...
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Local
Business Near Refettorio |
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| London Business |
| Crowne Plaza – The City |
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19
New Bridge Street,
The City,
London,
EC4V
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0 minutes distance from Refettorio
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| ...More...
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| London Business |
| St Bride Foundation |
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Bride Lane,
Fleet Street,
The City,
London,
EC4Y
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2 minutes distance from Refettorio
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