Jamie’s Italian
- Food served: Mon–Sat noon–11pm; Sun noon–10.30pm.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 20
- Also offers: Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access
- Music on stereo: Sixties/Seventies soul/contemporary and classic pop
- Capacity: 240
- Largest group: 16
- Open since: 2010
- Average price:
£17.50 (lunch)
£17.50 (evening meal) - House wine: £15.85 per bottle
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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
Opened in 2010, this Glasgow branch of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s ever-growing chain occupies a prime spot on bustling George Square. The downstairs bar is stylish with glass, leather, wood and exposed brick – ideal for studying the menu and grazing on the Puglian olives on ice, while waiting for a table. And wait you probably will. Allegedly these are the world’s best olives and, while a tough claim to prove, they are undoubtedly great. The dining area is a large open-plan room, noisy, busy, with waiters buzzing. Jamie does ingredients superbly and the antipasti prove the point – mozzarella, two different salamis, Parma ham, more olives are all delicious and authentic. The pasta, although home-made, is heavy and lacks flavour, redeemed in part by the accompanying carbonara sauce which is properly egg based rather than creamy. The roasted king scallops are sustainable, Scottish, meaty and tasty with the coral left on, adding flavour. The ingredients are the star here not Jamie, and although it’s not perfect, if this is the future of Italian chains – it’s no bad thing.
- High point: Great ingredients
- Low point: The home-made pasta
Reviews of Jamie’s Italian (1 George Square, Glasgow)
- 3. HMC, Edinburgh – 19 September 2011, 1:44pm
Jamie’s ItalianReport -
My partner and I dined here at the weekend. Indeed, they do not take bookings but this was not a problem as when we arrived in the evening we were seated straight away (was a sunday). There was a great atmosphere; very cosy, rustic Italian, attentive and friendly waiting staff and lots of happy fellow diners. The house wine (white/red) is organic and comes in tetrapacks - we were informed this is more environmentally friendly, and it is served on the table in a glass decanter. We had the white chardonnay which was really nice. I had prawn linguine for main which I can confidently say was the BEST pasta dish I have ever tasted (sorry mum). The pasta was truly 'el dente' and had great substance. The tomato, fennel, chili and garlic in the sauce was so fresh and delicious. My partner had a ricotta ravioli dish, which he says was very tasty but clearly not a large enough portion. For dessert, there was a good selection of Italian sweets; the Eat & Mess and Chocolate & Espresso tart both superb ends to a wonderful night.
- 2. FraserC, Edinburgh – 26 March 2011, 6:44pm
Jamie’s ItalianReport -
4 of us visited this restaurant. We all absolutely loved it. The food, the atmosphere, the service, everything was brilliant. Not pretentious, just good honest food. Highly recommended.
only slight gripe is their insistence that you cant book a table, they prefer you to turn up when you, like and have a few drinks in the bar before you dine. the idea being that the restaurant is so big that you don't have to wait long. ok in theory, but in practice it does mean having to queue up for a bit on a Saturday night. not too long tho and well worth the wait.
- 1. Schmeichs, Glasgow – 7 July 2010, 3:58pmJamie’s ItalianReport
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My husband and I went to Jamie's Italian last Thursday as part of their "dry run" before the official opening earlier this week. The staff were great - we were seated really quickly and they were friendly and knowledgable about the food and wine choices. The place has a good atmosphere; music isn't too loud and there's plenty of buzz from staff moving around and conversation from the other diners. it's also nice being able to watch the chefs at work at the open kitchen & prep area. The food itself was excellent (I had Prawn Linguine, hub had a steak with a side order of polenta chips) and you have to try the double grape & cucumber martini for a little starter drink - yum. Altogether a great night and we will be back for sure.
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