cook Jamie Oliver, he of the healthy school food campaign, owns dozens of British restaurants catering to fried fish and chips, hamburgers, and here, pasta. Unassailably healthy it may not be, but ingredients are thoughtfully sourced, appetizers are served on long wooden paddles called “antipasti planks,” and pasta is made fresh on the premises. The casual menu is enormous and rangy enough to please the whole family (pastas, burgers, mains), and while the upstairs dining area is frenetic and loud, the booths downstairs impart a more soothing, vaulted feel. Considering the size of the menu, it does a respectable job of forging delicious, honest food. Naturally, there’s a gift shop for Oliver-branded swag—including those awkward planks. Try to beat the swarm by arriving before 5:30pm.
London
Travel Guide
London› Restaurant
Jamie’s Italian
11 Upper St Martin’s Lane, WC2
Our Rating
Neighborhood
Covent Garden & the Strand
Hours
Mon–Sat noon–11:30pm, Sun noon–10:30pm
Transportation
Tube: Leicester Square
Phone
020/3326-6390
Prices
Pasta £7–£13, mains £11–£20
Cuisine Type
Italian
Web site
Jamie’s Italian
Map
11 Upper St Martin’s Lane WC2 LondonNote: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.