After a misty Bonfire Night with questionable firework safety on Primrose Hill, we decided to walk to Regents Park Road with the hope of going to Odette's. Unsurprisingly, the staff were lovely but the restaurant was full on a Saturday night. In hindsight, this was probably a good thing as all the beautiful people were out and they definitely did not look like they had been stood on The Hill in the almost rain.
Eventually, we ended up at Pesantissimo. I was a little reluctant to go, as my fiancé and I had been once before and the service was as chilly as the winter of 2010. However, verging on hungry angry and left with limited options (eat at Pesantissimo or walk/tube to somewhere else) we went in and found ourselves greeted by the same gentleman. This time, instead of being frosty towards the customers, he was Mr Charming - friendly, chatty, welcoming, attentive. Either the first time we saw him was a bad day, or he really loves Bonfire Night.
My fiancé ordered the lamb ragu while I opted for the penne arrabiata. I LOVE arrabiata. Ever since being introduced to Italian food as a teenager I've loved this dish. Since falling in love with arrabiata I've been on the hunt for the perfect one...which, I found - YAY, ... in Mexico City - booooooo.
Despite being compared to my version of perfection in Mexico, this arrabiata held its own, and according to my fiancé, so did the lamb ragu. It wasn't mind-blowing by any means but it was good food, and all for very reasonable prices. For example, the arrabiata was under £7.00 and the portion was ma-hoo-sive!
The dessert was forgettable...so much so...that I've completely forgotten what we ordered. I know it was something chocolaty and cold, covered in hazelnuts.
The rocket and parmesan salad was a little dry - but perfectly edible.
As veggie options go, Italian can be a pretty safe bet, with a couple of pastas, a couple of pizzas, and a sprinkling of sides and starters. It's also the only cuisine where it's perfectly justified to have a veggie option as risotto.
The decor of this place is simple and pleasant, and the mood was equally so - though I suspect that this may have been a one off due to the assortment of people in the area that had been drawn there post (lack of) firework display.
Overall, the food plus price plus experience equalled a good night but I'd be hesitant to make it a regular haunt until I've determined whether the waiter is usually Mr Frosty or Mr Charming.
Price: Approximately £50.00 for two mains, one side, one pudding, one large glass of red, one small glass of red, one amaretto on the rocks, one dessert wine and service charge.
Veggie Friendly: 4/5
Food: 3/5
Service: 4/5
Atmosphere: 4/5
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