Cuisine: Italian
Food: Fantastic
Service: Excellent
Atmosphere: Excellent
This is a real gem in the heart of Notting Hill on All Saints Road (a street whose name was made only marginally less cool by having once had a girl band named after it).
Simple Italian dishes of the highest quality are served by friendly staff in surroundings that give the impression that you’ve ben invited to dine in a real family restaurant.
In fact this is more than just a contrived impression, being as it is, owned by the affable David and having among its staff son Daniel and his (far from displeasig to the eye) daughter Alexia. Posters from David’s wife Ethel’s previous career on stage (she appeared in the original production of “Hair” adorn the walls.
There are a few tables outside on the pavement, but we chose one of the candle lit tables inside for romantic reasons. We were seated by the charming Eva, who took our drinks order and gave us the menu to peruse.
As ever when I’m writing a restaurant review I had to take my wife. That’s not the chore I just made it sound, it’s because I’m vegetarian and most of you aren’t so you probably want to know what the options are for carnivores too!
The menu is extensive and creative, without being in the least bit pretentious. I’ve been there several times, so it’s hard for me to recommend any specific dishes because they’ve all been good. However here are a few of my favourites.
In the starters I’ve enjoyed the Bruschetta (chopped tomatoes marinated in garlic, olive oil, fresh basil and herbs on toasted bread) and particularly the Insalata di Campo (goat’s cheese, aubergine, courgettes, peppers, artichokes and pine kernals on mixed leaves), but then add goat’s cheese to almost any dish and I’m your friend.
Of the pastas both the Penne Arrabiata and Penne Siciliana are excellent. The latter is the most faithful representation of that classic dish that I’ve had since a visit to Pallermo itself a few years back.
My favourite pizzas are probably the Fiorentina and the Quattro Formaggi. I’m a bit particular about my pizza bases since I tried to eat my way through New York last year and for my money Ripe Tomato get them just right. Light, with just a few bubbley bits, the outside is perfectly “randomly” crusty for a rustic look and taste. Sorry this has all been vegetarian, but wifey isn’t with me to help right now so I can’t ask her what she’s had!
It’s all just simple food, done well.
They don’t have a website because, as David says, “We’re full most evenings already!”. And you know what? There’s something nice about that!
Ripe Tomato serves simple, excellent dishes at very reasonable prices in a friendly, convivial atmosphere and you can’t ask for more than that. Highly recommended.
Ripe Tomato
7 All Saints Road
Notting Hill
W11 1HA
020 7565 0525
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