L'Amorosa - London

We had no expectations in fact we initially thought the restaurant was closed for the evening. So glad it was not as our night was just special. It’s a relatively small restaurant but it is very personal and intimate. Andy the chef his wife Lynne, who works the floor, are the owners they can be so proud of what they present. The moment we walked in, there was a homily atmosphere. We were presented with a very relaxed welcoming just a delightful feel. Lynne’s “offsider”, Angela, was also a beautiful person as we were the only patrons at the time, we enjoyed the opportunity to chat to both ladies get an understanding of the challenges things they had overcome in recent years to ensure the business was a success. And then the real joy came when we were presented with our meals. We passed on the starters decided on mains only. OMG how good. Jude went the Ravioli with a beef ragu. Being a big seafood fan, I decided on the special which was a prawn pasta. I think Angela described the pasta as being on steroids!!! Just incredible flavours and oh so good. We both left nothing and even better, unlike some pasta meals, we did not feel as though we had overeaten. Of course we had to try desert chocolate mousse my wife was amazed how good it was) I went the fig, frangipan tart with ice cream. Again they were exceptional. A fabulous night to farewell our time in Hammersmith. There is no doubt when we return to the UK fingers crossed again next year) we will be visiting Lyn, Andy Angela to enjoy their food hospitality. Price wise it may be a little on the high side for some their budget, but when you try the food you will not be disappointed. If you are not happy after eating here you are hard to please!!!! Thank you all. See you again Huge Aussie smiles from us both!!!!

We are regular customers at L’amorosa the food is understated but exquisite with a great team working there. We love it so much we asked Andy and Lynn to cater our wedding. They were endlessly helpful and creative about the menu planning and were genuinely enthused by the project. The food on the day was wonderful seasonal ingredients beautifully cooked. We had so many compliments on it and everyone really enjoyed it. They were also hugely accommodating to more niche demands kids. Couldn’t recommend enough (for dinner there or catering out) thanks!

Listen. If this gaff was in NY and you were on holiday there and stumbled across it on some intrepid manoeuvre to Queens or Brooklyn, you 'd be raving to all and sundry about this place you found in Brooklyn or Queens that nobody else had ever heard about and was one of the best kept secrets in NY. Well you 're not on holiday in NY. But you live in London. And Hammersmith isn 't intrepid like Plaistow or some Godforsaken place. It 's fairly central and packed full of great places to eat. In fact, in this one 200m stretch of the wide pavemented bit of King St W6 I 'd say there are five very good restaurants, plus a couple of more dodgy additions. And a Pizza Hut. So competition for the local Hammersmith groat is fierce. L 'Amarosa is the place you rave about because you think you 've discovered it. Seductively lit, all mahogany, mezzanine floor and wine glasses that ting. Even the typography is seductive. This is what you want a proper Italian to be. Flowers on every table. Art on the walls that isn 't a blight on your evening. Friendly relaxed service that makes you feel like you 're the only ones there when in fact they are often full and never mob handed when it comes to staff. Le Gavroche this ain 't. But I defy the aforementioned to whip up a plate of pasta as moreish and satisfying. The owners cook and serve. And you feel the love with every plate. Excellent small local places like this can 't exist without that love. It 's too much hard work. But the chef loves his pasta, you can tell. And the maitre 'd loves serving it, you can tell. The true sign of a good Italian is one where have never heard of the pasta on offer. Fact. I suspect the good places make up the names just for people like me. Toofie. Pacceri. I ask just in case it 's not pasta at all. It 's all explained gleefully. The menu is small. Another good sign as far as I 'm concerned. Three dishes in the pasta section, plus a few in the char grilled section and some nicely put together starters. Courgette with Romesco sauce was pretty and tasty. The aubergine and tomato tortelloni had punch. The white chocolate pannacotta a delightfully elegant way to finish. But by the time you go the menu will have changed. What won 't have changed is the love. It 's an 'order two bottles and settle in ' kind of place from which, if you 're in a window seat, you can plot future meals at Potli or Saigon Saigon directly opposite. But the night will always belong to L 'Amarosa, a place Hammersmith people will want to keep secret but absolutely worth the trek if you 're from the wrong side of the tracks. A seductive, elegant reward for your intrepidness.

L'Amorosa, is a lovely small local restaurant that serves outstanding food. The service is excellent and the atmosphere very relaxed. I will most definitely be returning.

L'Amorosa always gives off the vibe of being a hidden gem, yet it is never empty nor too crowded. Chef Andy Needham, formerly of Michelin-starred Zafferano in Belgravia, clearly shines in his craft. The menu is small but uses fresh, top-quality ingredients with skilled execution. The wine list is reasonably priced as well. If there is a better restaurant in west London, I would be eager to hear about it.