I am surprised at the previous reviews for Don Luigi Restaurant as it was nothing like i read on this site!
The restaurant itself was furnished in traditional attire and created a suitably warming welcome, from the moment we stepped through the door, to be greeted by a friendly face whom escorted us upstairs to a fantastic lounge bar complete with pianist.
Upstairs we had some aperatifs and were given menus and allowed to realx before placing our order, and as for the wine list, 'unmemorable' as the previous review mentioned, i find bewildering as it was one of the most impressive and extensive lists i have ever seen. We were unsure as to what wine to opt for due to the vast list, and were guided by yet another friendly and experienced gentlemen whom we later learned was the owner.
Our order was taken and we were allowed to go downstairs to our table whenever we were ready; once we did so we sat at a lavish table spoiled with rich linen table attire where the wine was ready and waiting at our table ready to be tasted. There was fresh bread with traditional olive oil and balsamic dipping accompaniment; quite a nice touch!
The food itself was superb and there was no ridiculous waiting times involved, the menu is varied and there truly is something for everyone, to start with we opted for cozze al pommodoro, (mussels in a rich tomato and chili sauce with pancetta to you and me) and the infamous slow cooked ribs in the which were to die for! Our main courses were equally as good, i chose Veal Medallions with a wild mushroom and marsala sauce from the specials menu, which varies weekly, and my partner seabass fillets with a ginger, lemon grass and shrimp butter. the service was impeccable, staff were friendly and entertaining and not once did we feel rushed despite it being a busy Saturday night.
Somehow we found room for deserts, the list was again very impressive, all the deserts we learned were home made and just like the courses we had before equally impressive, my partner opted for a rich sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream, which i muist admit i tasted and it was delicious. I chose a slightly less indulgent desert of meringue with fresh cream and amareno cherries, we also both had desert wine something we rarely find when eating out, and it was as delicious as described.
By this point we were pleasantly fulfilled, and had no more room for a coffee, however of course we did have room for some after dinner drinks; we chose to go upstairs again to the lounge bar to sample some italian brandy which was as warming as the waitress described.
The meal in total including pre dinner drinks, wine, desert wine and liquers came to a reasonable £85, which we were pleasantly surprised with!
All in all the evening was thoroughly enjoyable, from the moment we stepped into Don Luigi, and we would highly reccommend the restaurant to all! On our way ou we also picked up a menu which advertised an early evening menu, and a three course sunday lunch menu so we will most definitely be back again!
