Artusi - London

I had high expectations of Artusi, based on a hype around this place. I have to say, I think the concept is beautiful, but the food and service are a real omission. The starters were delicious, but from there it was only disappointment. We had a very long waiting period between courses and staff looked like they were very confused. As soon as we got our net, it was only a large part of the gland, overcooked pasta. The desserts followed the same pattern. Long wait and then a large bowl mousse. The food looked like it was not carefully thought out and the basic execution was simply lacking. It was all about the very bad mood of the hostess who looked like someone who just didn't want to be there. It's a real shame.

I think living in London will spoil you with all the restaurants. Artusi will wake you up again: the menu changes all the time and is exciting and short and unusual. And really, really, really, really nice.

Artusi is a small restaurant in the Bellenden Rd conservation area of Peckham. It offers a new menu every day of superbly fresh food, cooked to order with care and precision to preserve the flavours of the quality ingredients. There were three options for starters, five main courses and two desserts perfect balance between ensuring there is something to appeal to most palates and avoiding a surfeit of choices. Service was attentive and friendly without being intrusive. The bill was a VERY pleasant surprise! The place was buzzing without being too loud for conversation I'd recommend booking for dinner. Highly recommended.

I love this place, we keep coming back and we love celebrating birthdays with good wine and good food. We had lunch on a Saturday to celebrate my husband's birthday. When I booked the table a few days prior I asked if they might be able to have tiramisu as it is his favourite, along with bolognese. I never expected it, but someone from Artusi gave me a call on Saturday morning to let me know they wouldn't be able to have tiramisu, but instead she told me the whole menu and even what we could expect for dessert, I was thankful for that. Great experience overall, when dessert came they actually put a candle on the olive oil cake which was an unexpected plus! The venison ragú was top notch, I was jealous since I ordered the bavette which was good, but definitely not as great as the ragú!

The choice is reassuringly limited but I'd have happily chosen any or all of the dishes on offer when I visited with two friends. Vegetarians might feel that there should be more alternatives to tempt them but the simply-but-expertly-cooked meat-based mains were perfect. Good choice of not outrageously-priced wines too. Lovely hone-baked bread.