Amici Ristorante
May 2012
As their website is quick to tell you, the translation of Amici is ‘friends’ and, having taken their hospitality for a test drive, one can plainly see why. If there is one thing that the Italians are passionate about - possibly even more than football and women - it’s their food. Having once worked for a Delicatessen & Restaurant supplier selling to a myriad of customers from all over Europe, as well as Mexican restaurants and American-themed diners, I can say without hesitation that, of all those that I came into contact with, it was the Italians who celebrated their love of food the most fervently. From Prosciutto to Parmigiano, from Ameretto to Tiramisu, it had to be of the finest quality and, Italians being Italians, the best price. But it wasn’t just the specialty items that our customers were so particular about; it was the tomatoes, the pasta, the extra-virgin olive oil; in fact, all the basic ingredients that go to making their wonderful dishes. This is what’s so special about Amici’s; you actually feel like you’re part of their family, from the minute you walk in to the minute you leave. Last but certainly not least, they also have a charming accordionist on hand to keep you entertained whilst the food is being prepared.
Of course, as with all eating-out experiences, it has to come down to the quality of what’s put in front of you. On this occasion I had the following:
Appetizer: Mozzarella Milanese (deep fried bread crumbed mozzarella served with a tomato Napoletana sauce).
Main: Surf & Turf (grilled rump steak and king prawns in a chilli butter and white wine sauce).
(*As I was taking advantage of a special on-line offer, the deal didn’t include a dessert).
I’ll begin by saying that all the food was well prepared, well presented, and cooked to perfection. I hasten to add that I had actually ordered my steak ‘medium’, and it arrived ‘medium-rare’, but that’s fine by me as I prefer it that way. Wherever I choose to dine out on steak, I always order ‘medium’ because it allows the Chef a margin of error, and they almost always tend to err on the rare side.
Despite all the plusses, there were three small issues I would care to mention. Firstly, a party of eighteen turned up at the same time as we did, which resulted in a forty-five minute wait for the appetizer to arrive. In fairness, the Waiter did make a point of apologising for the delay and, in any case, it was understandable being as the party hadn’t pre-booked.
Secondly, the size of the portion was humongous compared to what one might expect from an appetizer. In fact, it could quite easily have passed for a main course. Yes, I am aware that I didn’t have to eat it all but, as the size of my stomach confirms, I don’t like to waste food, particularly when it’s so lovingly prepared.
And lastly, we all know how stringy mozzarella can be - it’s the nature of the beast. This wasn’t to be a problem when the Milanese arrived as it was piping hot. However, when it began to cool, the elasticity of the mozzarella proved to be a real concern. Whilst I endeavoured to masticate my way through the part that lingered in my mouth, the rest of it was rapidly making its way down to my stomach like a reluctant bungee jumper. In fact, my wife was more than a little shocked to see me poking my fingers down my throat in an attempt to sever the creamy rubber-like substance which had now become the foundation of a panic attack. Next time, maybe I’ll give the Milanese a miss and stick with the less adventurous Insalata di Gamberetti, or Prawn Cocktail to those of us who lived through the seventies.
All things being equal, it was excellent food served and enjoyed in a very friendly atmosphere. Would I recommend it? Yes, I most certainly would.
Rating (out of 10): 8½
Review by Tom
Of course, as with all eating-out experiences, it has to come down to the quality of what’s put in front of you. On this occasion I had the following:
Appetizer: Mozzarella Milanese (deep fried bread crumbed mozzarella served with a tomato Napoletana sauce).
Main: Surf & Turf (grilled rump steak and king prawns in a chilli butter and white wine sauce).
(*As I was taking advantage of a special on-line offer, the deal didn’t include a dessert).
I’ll begin by saying that all the food was well prepared, well presented, and cooked to perfection. I hasten to add that I had actually ordered my steak ‘medium’, and it arrived ‘medium-rare’, but that’s fine by me as I prefer it that way. Wherever I choose to dine out on steak, I always order ‘medium’ because it allows the Chef a margin of error, and they almost always tend to err on the rare side.
Despite all the plusses, there were three small issues I would care to mention. Firstly, a party of eighteen turned up at the same time as we did, which resulted in a forty-five minute wait for the appetizer to arrive. In fairness, the Waiter did make a point of apologising for the delay and, in any case, it was understandable being as the party hadn’t pre-booked.
Secondly, the size of the portion was humongous compared to what one might expect from an appetizer. In fact, it could quite easily have passed for a main course. Yes, I am aware that I didn’t have to eat it all but, as the size of my stomach confirms, I don’t like to waste food, particularly when it’s so lovingly prepared.
And lastly, we all know how stringy mozzarella can be - it’s the nature of the beast. This wasn’t to be a problem when the Milanese arrived as it was piping hot. However, when it began to cool, the elasticity of the mozzarella proved to be a real concern. Whilst I endeavoured to masticate my way through the part that lingered in my mouth, the rest of it was rapidly making its way down to my stomach like a reluctant bungee jumper. In fact, my wife was more than a little shocked to see me poking my fingers down my throat in an attempt to sever the creamy rubber-like substance which had now become the foundation of a panic attack. Next time, maybe I’ll give the Milanese a miss and stick with the less adventurous Insalata di Gamberetti, or Prawn Cocktail to those of us who lived through the seventies.
All things being equal, it was excellent food served and enjoyed in a very friendly atmosphere. Would I recommend it? Yes, I most certainly would.
Rating (out of 10): 8½
Review by Tom
