Jamie's Italian

With 200 seats to fill, Jamie’s Italian is a large-scale investment for the international chef. Queuing is inevitable so making a reservation is ideal in securing a table.

Happily, good things come to those who wait, with the two-level wood, concrete and glass emporium yielding myriad nooks, crannies and booths if you’re patient enough to put your name down, grab a buzzer and hit a local bar that’s not too far away. And, despite the size, the well designed space, featuring plenty of intimate corners, makes the hubbub friendly rather than overwhelming.

Considering that Jamie the chef is all about knowing your food’s roots, it’s not surprising that the meals here are all about sustainable, seasonal and regional ingredients. Better yet, it also services Oliver’s other cause – getting good food to the people – so the expertly executed rustic Italian fare is also exceptional value.

Let it be noted that the spag bol here is nothing less than extraordinary (think pork and beef combo cooked for several hours), the presentation of the antipasto is nothing short of art and the wine list is markedly Italian.