Topic ID 7060
had a lovely meal at hertfords newest restaurant, Il Divo. smashing food and beautiful old building. Subject edited by Admin to include restaurant name
Reply ID 93012
Would that be Il Vino (or even Ilvino)? If so I would concur. Went twice on Friday (lunch and dinner) both very good. Not quite so enthused with the decor!
Reply ID 93016
quote:...for lunch my colleague had a hearty sausage calzone which was served on a lazy susan with some salad and apparently roasted with garlic butter (Mmmmmm!). I had a chicken risotto which was simple but well executed (I don't like the rice in my risotto totally soggy). For dinner Mrs S. had a carbonara (a good indicator) which was competent but not quite cheesy enough for me (staff quite willing to grate on more so not an issue) and I had a salmon steak (nicely finished with some kind of salsa). 2-0 to Ilvino so far. They have ambitions to be open 7 days a week including "breakfast" so let's see how it goes.
Originally posted by Darcy Sarto
Would that be Il Vino (or even Ilvino)? If so I would concur. Went twice on Friday (lunch and dinner) both very good. Not quite so enthused with the decor!
Reply ID 93028
Went on Saturday evening and the restaurant was packed (good sign). Run by Vinnie (ex Cafe Rouge) who is very good "front of house" We both enjoyed our menu choices (a calzone and a spaghetti with garlic prawns). Given they'd only been open 3 days they did very well. We'll be back.
Reply ID 93068
This is good to know as we walked passed here the other day and looked lovely but the only thing that put us off was the menu cello taped to the window but will try it with the above good reviews.
Reply ID 93070
quote:Was the chef's special double bass? Taxi !
Originally posted by Kaystarr
This is good to know as we walked passed here the other day and looked lovely but the only thing that put us off was the menu cello taped to the window but will try it with the above good reviews.
Reply ID 93074
Ha ha predictive text!!
Reply ID 93076
Do they have a website or are they on Twiiter?
Reply ID 93077
quote:No
Originally posted by Brigitte
Do they have a website or are they on Twiiter?
Reply ID 93079
Pity, suppose I will just have to twist my husbands arm to take me without a preview of their menu.
Reply ID 93080
Bimey, how ,many husbands have you got Brigette? :-)
Reply ID 93081
Just seen that, can barely cope with one, let alone multiples [:D]
Reply ID 93144
We went there on Saturday night. Good food, excellent service and grappa too. I'd definitely visit again.
Reply ID 93152
quote:I asked about this when I went (in case I wanted to book again) and they advised its all "in development" but they have retained Paddyfields old 'phone number if you want to book.
Originally posted by Stevequote:No
Originally posted by Brigitte
Do they have a website or are they on Twiiter?
Reply ID 93153
Phone number here http://hertford.net/leisure/restaurants.asp I'm going Saturday evening and hope to be able to give my opinion later; may struggle as will be in the pub watching the six nations finale from 5!!
Reply ID 93182
Had a family dinner on Saturday night here was fantastic. The guys were accomadating and extreamly attentive. Food was delicious too. Would be good to have some specials offered and also some more choices of Brandy, liqueurs etc will most defiantly be going back again.
Reply ID 93184
quote:LOL [:D]
Originally posted by ANT
... defiantly be going back again.
Reply ID 93185
quote:ROFLMAOSIBOAATMNRWAFDTGTMWKFASK (Roll on floor laughing my arse off sewing it back on again then tickling my nether regions with a feather duster then going to Mid West Kebabs for a small kofte) Perhaps my dislike for text talk is too obvious.
Originally posted by Stevequote:LOL [:D]
Originally posted by ANT
... defiantly be going back again.
Reply ID 93201
We ate here last night, I think that the fact that they were rammed on a Tuesday night says it all. Really excellent food and really excellent service, highly recommended.
Reply ID 93270
Went last Tuesday. Very pleasant. Food good, apart from the soggyish chips. Particularly liked the spicy calamari starter. Enjoyed the chicken pasta bake, despite ordering the seafood !, but was so hungry couldn't stand the wait if I'd sent it back. Will return.
Reply ID 93303
Just returned home from having a lovely meal at Ilvino. Would certainly recommend it, busy but a very pleasant atmosphere. Staff very helpful and friendly. We will be going back very soon!
Reply ID 93358
45 minute wait for starter of garlic bread, further 45 min wait for main meal. Then the main meal was the wrong one, another 15 min wait for the right meal meanwhile my husband had finised his. Meal not that good. Would have been nice to have been offered something off of the bill for the poor service. Its a shame but I wont be going there again.
Reply ID 93360
A good enough meal, but. The menu is standard Italian fair and no different to the many chains on high streets. C'mon, give us something different. If you go on a Friday or Saturday ask not to be seated at the rear. Groups of diners came in and were left hanging around the 'bar' area with beers and wine while they waited for their tables, their posteriors wafting rather too close to diners. The food was good but it is not what I was expecting having read the reviews on this forum.
Reply ID 93361
quote:Yes. This. I visited soon after it opened and found it really mediocre but didn't want to knock a new business early so waited until friends had visited and told me independently how disappointed they were. It's OK and it's fair value for money is the best I can say.
Originally posted by Ewoowar
... The menu is standard Italian fair and no different to the many chains on high streets. C'mon, give us something different.
Reply ID 93372
"The menu is standard Italian fair and no different to the many chains on high streets. C'mon, give us something different" Totally agree, I was hoping it would be Spanish cuisine, like the very good Casa Lua in Ware
Reply ID 93373
quote:Italian is fine but the lack of anything but the standard Italian dishes on the menu doesn't leave me thinking that it will change change seasonally.
Originally posted by Frenchie
"The menu is standard Italian fair and no different to the many chains on high streets. C'mon, give us something different" Totally agree, I was hoping it would be Spanish cuisine, like the very good Casa Lua in Ware
Reply ID 93375
It’s interesting as I have been told that Casa Lua isn’t very nice (I have not been yet and will reserve judgment until I have). It goes to show that there are these variations in peoples experiences. I went on a Tuesday and it really was lovely so I wonder if they are a little overwhelmed on a Friday/Saturday or they had a bit of a blip. I will try it again and hope that it is as good as it was 2 weeks ago.
Reply ID 93377
quote:I will be going back too and like you, we'd decided that our return will be midweek.
Originally posted by Louis M
It’s interesting as I have been told that Casa Lua isn’t very nice (I have not been yet and will reserve judgment until I have). It goes to show that there are these variations in peoples experiences. I went on a Tuesday and it really was lovely so I wonder if they are a little overwhelmed on a Friday/Saturday or they had a bit of a blip. I will try it again and hope that it is as good as it was 2 weeks ago.
Reply ID 93378
The food at Casa Lua is very good and very authentic , but it's a strange experience indeed sitting down formally at tables and eating tapas , not all like it should be , wouldn't go back .
Reply ID 93522
He's now got a website: http://www.ilvinorestaurant.co.uk/default.html
Reply ID 93553
Finally went there for dinner last night, the food and service was really good. I would happily reccomend them to anyone and looking forwards to going back again soon.
Reply ID 93558
hi roddy, did you mean you had a meal in Ilvino or Casa Lua?
Reply ID 93559
quote:The thread is about Ilvino [:)]
Originally posted by newboy
hi roddy, did you mean you had a meal in Ilvino or Casa Lua?
Reply ID 93560
Hi newboy, I meant Ilvino.
Reply ID 93561
Ate here on Wednesday, as above the food was very good.
Reply ID 93562
Thanks, I asked as Casa Lua had been mentioned in a couple of earlier posts so just wanted to double check. Ilvino looks really inviting from it's frontage, definitely got it on the radar for a visit soon [^]
Reply ID 93796
Went a couple of weeks ago; service good, lovely atmosphere, pleasant staff - food distinctly average. Perhaps midweek is the way to. Always find it disappointing to be served food that I could have cooked better myself - not what I expect from restaurant but is far too often the case and I'm probably just a decent home cook not a chef. Will try again in case it was a 'one off'.
Reply ID 93834
Following all the recommendations, we went here last night. Good job we booked as the place was full both around 7pm when we arrived and then filled up again with 2 large groups around 9. Service was friendly and attentive and the food excellent with the main courses arriving piping hot. Food is very reasonably priced with many starters and the desserts just under a fiver. The only criticism I would have, albeit, it won't stop us going again, is that the music was a bit too loud. When you have a busy restaurant, the diners conversational noise should be sufficient. Overall a super restaurant which we will visit again.
Reply ID 94039
We were walk-ins on a busy Wednesday night. Seated in 5 mins, well paced service for drinks and our order. Excellent squid, pasta and sauces likewise (as one would expect!). We liked it. It's a good, local trattoria, honest food well executed. We're really pleased a simple, bistro-style Italian has opened and will definitely be going back again.
Reply ID 94287
Had a celebratory meal in their on 13th June with 13 guests and it was great. It was friend's birthday and we had a great time. I think the food does what it says on the tin, simple, fresh and well priced... lovely evening...[:D]
Reply ID 94480
Been six times now and the food has been perfect every time. Certainly the best tasting food out of all the Italians I've been to. The staff are very friendly and service has been exceptional. There was a slight issue on Friday when people later people who had booked didn't have their tables ready in time. When I booked I had a sitting time which was overstayed slightly as the food took slightly longer. Not once did they rush us though. Other tables were having drink after drink at the end. I guess you can't keep everyone happy and you can't help when others don't have the courtesy they may be holding tables up for others. I was worried about going on a Friday night when it was rammed but the food was as good as always.
Reply ID 94504
If you were there last Friday 28th - we were too and I know what you mean about busy and people waiting. Often the way if you book a later sitting as often people overrun their sitting times. However, as ever the food was excellent and likewise the service. This is a regular place for us now.
Reply ID 94509
quote:I guess a positive is that it's simple, no nonsense food at a reasonable price. You know what you're going to get when you go there.
Originally posted by robbieg
If you were there last Friday 28th - we were too and I know what you mean about busy and people waiting. Often the way if you book a later sitting as often people overrun their sitting times. However, as ever the food was excellent and likewise the service. This is a regular place for us now.
Reply ID 95191
My wife and I ate here on Sunday evening. It was superb. The food is excellent, the service is good and the staff are friendly, but not too in your face. All in all, a very good addition to Hertford. Would like to go back.
Reply ID 96111
Went to Il Vinio for the first time last night. It was good (Lasagne delicious) but my wife said the risotto was just ok ( she did say it's hard to get a good risotto anywhere!). Service was very pleasant, and timing good. Delicious Panacotta to finish, but the cappuccino was weak and tasteless. Didn't quite live up to the high expectations from the generally great feedback on this forum, but overall a nice place. I felt it lacked something on the ambience front, maybe lighting could be a bit lower to create more of a intimate atmosphere.
Reply ID 96361
quote:We went last Friday for probably the fourth time and my wife thought the risotto was fantastic. We also loved the ambiance. It's not really the sort of place I'd go for a quiet, intimate meal. But for a lively, friendly atmosphere, with great service from welcoming owners and staff, this is the place for you. At the end of the meal we were given a free lemon liqueur, which was a lovely touch, from the charming men in charge.
Originally posted by newboy
Went to Il Vinio for the first time last night. It was good (Lasagne delicious) but my wife said the risotto was just ok ( she did say it's hard to get a good risotto anywhere!). Service was very pleasant, and timing good. Delicious Panacotta to finish, but the cappuccino was weak and tasteless. Didn't quite live up to the high expectations from the generally great feedback on this forum, but overall a nice place. I felt it lacked something on the ambience front, maybe lighting could be a bit lower to create more of a intimate atmosphere.