ITRI Restaurant

I took my family here and it was fantastic. The food was absolutely fantastic. Cooked by who I believed was a small Italian woman like who you would see in a small restaurant in a small villiage in the Italian mountains. I went for the pizza, 'the base and sauce were light and tasted so fresh it was almost like being back in Italy. My father's Calzone was filled to the brim with food and my mum's prawns in a sambuca flavoured sauce (forgive me for not remembering the Italian name) were some of the biggest I've seen.

It wasn't just the mains though, the deserts were equally as good, we shared two between the three of us. The semifreddo, a gorgeous amaretto ice cream cake, for me ended what was a perfect meal and semi-melted hot truffle ice cream in a dark chocolate sauce was the perfect accompaniment.

Moving away from the food, the atmosphere was spot on as well, the area of Polwarth doesn't lend itself to being able to withstand a little Italian hideaway but they had done their best to recreate a little Italian villa, it felt really authentic. Much nicer than what I would call more modern Italian Bistros where everything is bold colours and sharp edges.

Of course, there were a few problems, the starters (I had the antipasto and my father had the fishy equivalent) didn't have enough bread to satisfy the amount of meat that they had on offer and the olives for my mother were clearly taken from a jar (however its important to note that that is the only thing in the whole meal we would say that about everything else was fresh.) and in an Italian restaurant one might consider these things standard.

The staff were excellent for the most part, very relaxed and willing to please and very friendly, sometimes their style clashed with the business but they were totally willing to adapt to my parents fussy tastes. The prices from the outset seemed a tad expensive but for the portion size and the quality of the food we left saying that it was cheaper than it should be. (if you can say that sort of thing...).

I highly recommend this place, it's just off the beaten track and it is one of the best Italian restaurants I've been to short of being in Italy itself. I would call myself an Italian connoisseur and I am in no worries about complaining about things that weren't right. Even the more negative comments in this review are so small that it is almost not worth mentioning. Id definitely book ahead however but it is totally worth it.
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P Charlton
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Saturday, May 14, 2011

I have had many meals at the Itri, generally with my husband but also with other family members and friends and have always been more than satisfied with both food and service. The restaurant produces the type of food experienced in good provincial restaurants in Italy rather than run- of-the-mill British Italian restaurants. The menu is varied, seasonal, frequently changes and offers the opportunity to try unfamiliar dishes.

The staff are friendly and unfailingly helpful. They are willing to cope with the needs of children and others with special dietary requirements.

We have specially enjoyed the regional evenings and special interest evenings which have become a regular feature at this restaurant. We consider ourselves lucky to have such an interesting and award-winning restaurant in our localiity and are completely baffled by the other adverse reviews on this website.
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J E Dickinson
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Friday, December 03, 2010

I am sad to report the place is definitely in decline from burnt bruscetta which was distinctly lacking in any garlicy flavour and instead heaped with cold straight from the jar oily vegetables,to the disappointing seafood, i left feeling the restaurant very unsatisfied ( and significantly poorer) ,just hope you`re not near the door and freezing like i was the last time we were there,our firet visit and last,,prices seemed cheap (possibly a clue )over cooked,disappointing experience.
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jonny - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 30, 2010

We was at this restaurant yesterday it was very bad , The food itself was Disappointing , tasted like very cheap meat ,Whatsoever, it was no service , I would`t even leave a 10p tip.
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Food lover - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Absolutely appalling

My husband and Dr C Cameron and I have wanted to try this restaurant for a some time , I `m afraid it was the worst restaurant meal I`ve ever had, the food itself was disappointing with a number of cheap and frozen ingredients representing value for money,

The staff were very unfriendly ,standing around doing nothing ,this has got to the worst restaurant experince I have ever, the food was terrible.
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Teeny
Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Tuesday, March 23, 2010