L'Ariosto

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• What are these?

• Average price 2 courses:
   £12.95 (set lunch)
   £30 (evening meal)
• House wine: £15.50 per bottle

• Hitlisted
• High point: Quality meat dishes, fantastic atmosphere
• Low point: Not for the timid
• Food served: Mon-Sat noon-2.30pm, 5-11pm. Closed Sun
• Private dining: Up to 52 covers
• Open since: 1970
• Also offers: Childrens portions, Childrens high chairs, Pre-theatre menu

The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 is now in the shops.

This review is from the 2007 edition.

Entering the elegant marble doorway to be greeted by well groomed staff, the feeling is that L'Ariosto is designed to impress, and with almost 40 years of practice, it really does. Seating surrounds the dance floor in a dining area constructed to resemble an Italian courtyard, complete with balconies and tiled rooftops, creating an unmistakable sense of occasion. Incredibly charming waiters provide rapid-fire service - what with breadsticks, menu, wine, water and food, at points they're literally queuing to get to the tables. The menu is unusual enough to demand scrutiny. Wild mushrooms are served three ways with pesto, herbs or parmesan. Chestnut mushrooms are stuffed with spicy black pudding, these ingredients proving to be more than just a traditional breakfast combo. The specialities will have carnivores salivating and include venison, veal and even a chateaubriand for two. The evidence suggests these are dishes of quality and care, as displayed in a stack of six sweetly-charred lamb cutlets cooked to a rosy pink and accompanied by a glossy red, rosemary-scented jus. Once the resident band, Limited Edition, get started, the dance floor quickly fills, making this an ideal venue for a full night of entertainment.