The Italian Grill - Portsmouth

The service was friendly, though a bit on the slow side. We spent two and a half hours dining on two courses, and we were the only table occupied in a group of ten. The desserts were likely the highlight of our meal; they all appeared to be homemade and of good quality. However, I was put off by the sight of the chef entering the dining area to drink beer. The roast dinners were well-received, but both my partner's and my burgers weren't impressive. The pasta was satisfactory. One member of our group ordered a simple chicken dish and mentioned that the chicken was quite soggy, which made me suspect it was precooked and then reheated in water or brine. The atmosphere was comfortable, but it felt a bit strange – that might have just been due to the time of day we visited. I think the restaurant could benefit from offering a promotional or early bird menu between 3 and 5 PM, as the prices felt a bit high for the overall experience.

We visited for a birthday dinner with a group of 12 and found the experience lacking. At the time, there was only one other couple dining, yet the staff didn't seem particularly friendly. They mixed up our drink orders and made it seem like it was our mistake. The food didn't feel authentically Italian; for instance, they served lasagna with chips, which felt more like a “Britishized Italian” cuisine. While the prices were reasonable, you can definitely find better options in the area for a similar cost.

I found my margherita pizza to be quite rubbery, which was disappointing, though my friend's pasta was delicious. While it may seem unusual to mention, the cutlery was spotless, especially since I've been to places where remnants of food were left on the utensils. Nonetheless, the prices were steep—my snacks of nachos and pizza came to £20. The drinks were exorbitantly priced as well, and I wouldn’t recommend the jug of cocktails; despite their advertising, they were mostly ice and soda water. My stepson has also visited and praised the steak, so perhaps there are standout dishes here. With a bit more attention, this place could be fantastic. The staff are wonderful, and the area is pleasant, with a charming little garden. However, the fire escape signs could use some improvement—that's just the practical side of me speaking, haha. Despite my criticisms, I’d be interested in returning in a while to see if things have improved.

I love this place. best Italian cuisine in hampshire. eat incredible, staff courtesy, friendly and friendly. owners have made an incredible job. this is somewhere for a special event and also an intimate date. go nowhere else, the chef is a culinary magician, I should know I lived in napoli for 4 years

Excellent. the 4 of us had different things and they were all very delicious. my seafood pasta was very good. service was friendly and efficient and the price was reasonable. we all would definitely go back to try different meal times.