A few years ago I was reading a book published in New York entitled "The Italians and the ones who want to be Italians"; the book was taking the micky out of Italians on the way we gesticulate when we talk, the accent and other things anyway it was a funny book. I have been to Jamie's Italian twice since it opened lots of people of course this is the novelty factor and because of Jamie Oliver, the first time I was sat down immediately and I ordered soon after, the wine arrived quickly, the food took a bit longer, I had the squids to start they were good but not much flavour, the main course I ordered Carpaccio of beef, now Carpaccio is thin raw slices of beef with flakes of Parmesan cheese and oil dressing, so I did not read the description on the menu, when it arrived on a large plate there were several slices of what I thought was Bresaola which is a spicy cured beef, that was the first crime, in the middle there was enough salad to feed ten rabbits on top of which there was the second crime, grated Parmesan. The second time I had the squid again no improvement and a steak for main. Jamie should know better about Italian food his book on Italy is fantastic, but the menu he has created is like the book I was reading and in this case the one who wants to be Italian. Being myself in the trade I understand the commercial value of the menu, but Italian it is not. There is not one dish for main that is Italian. For you readers do not get me wrong the food is good much better then the other so called Italian outlets, but if you want to try real Italian try some recipes from is book or for the real thing go to Italy you will enjoy the weather to.

Ciao Ciao