Jamie’s Italian – Shepherd’s Bush

Today at work we decided to go for a team lunch. We usually go altogether on Fridays for a burrito, but this time we decided to try something new: Jamie’s Italian, one of the famous Jamie Oliver restaurants.

I’ve got to say I wasn’t expecting too much from it as I had been quite disappointed when I tried a few months ago Jamie’s Italian in Leicester Square. The food wasn’t good, the atmosphere far too busy and we were seated with my friend on the lower floor which isn’t the best – prefer the ground floor if possible.

But anyway today was a bright sunny day and it was the perfect time to give a second chance!
I recommend you to book in advance if you can as the place gets very busy at lunch time, even for just 2 or 3 people (you can book online, very easy).

I liked the restaurant as it was well laid out: high ceilings, many banquette boxes but also some regular tables for larger groups, and fairly luminous thanks to large bay-windows on one side that allow al fresco dinner when the sun is around!
The decoration is nice and simple, mostly made of wood, including a wall made up of Vespa head lights. Original!

So what can we enjoy at Jamie’s? Well mostly Italian antipasti and pasta, plus several meat dishes.
We all went for pasta to honour Italian cuisine 🙂 We were two to go for Monachelle Puttanesca, a very simple meal made of shell pasta with tomato sauce, capers, chilli, anchovies, parsley and olives. Pasta were cooked al dente, I like that! The whole thing was fairly tasty, a bit spicy and well served. Others went for tagliatelle bolognese and apparently enjoyed them. The dish of the day was tagliatelle and lamb in a red wine sauce with vegetables and parmesan – it was too much for me but the one who ordered it seemed to really appreciate his plate.
Don’t forget to ask for gratted parmigiano!

On the side we shared two Italian bread baskets. I found them quite small, had expected something a bit more sophisticated… Oh and crispy polenta chips – was ok but I like less and less fried things. And I’m too used to my mum’s recipe who cooks polenta in a pan with gratted parmesan on top – just delicious.

Also our vegan fellow got a special meal on demand! They prepared a large salad just for her, and it looked yummy!

> Tips: try their antipasti planks, they look awesome – especially to share!

> Verdict: Overall the experience was definitely better than expected 🙂 we had a nice time and enjoyed our lunch.
Prices are little bit too high for my taste though. Count £3.75 for the bread basket, around £5-£7 for antipasti and £10-£13 for pasta. Sides around £3. I know this is the usual price for this kind of restaurant, but still, it feels a little bit too much to me, even if portions were alright.
By the way, our lunch has been… “embellished” by the presence of two celebrities – David Morrissey and Richard E. Grant – seating in tables around woohoo! Would it be the place to be seen? Haha

Infos: Jamie’s Italian – Unit 1078, Westfield Shopping Centre, Ariel Way, London, W12 7GB – 020 8090 9070 – Shepherd’s Bush or Wood Lane stations – open 12noon-11pm Monday to Saturday, 12noon-10.30pm Sunday

Credits: Thanks to my colleague Dineshraj for taking some of those nice pictures 😉