If you walk down High Street Kensington looking for somewhere to eat, there is a trend that sticks out: Italian restaurants. There are about six within five minutes of each other on the bustling high street, so the chances are if you want to eat out around there, you'll be trying a little Italian.
We popped into Il Portico (one of the more highly-rated eateries in the area) back in August last year with suitably high expectations for a pleasant local Italian meal. What we wanted from the visit was a little rough around the edges charm coupled with some real quality. I don't think that's too much to ask from a restaurant in a swanky part of town that comes with a recommendation.
A small group of us (including Mike and the other half) tried a few dishes at the restaurant and unfortunately we weren't massively enthused. The good parts of the evening were some rather fresh pasta with chilli and clams, some good chicken escalope and a decent creme brulee for dessert.
Rather unfortunately, the rest of the meal was not really up to much. Dry lamb, average saltimbocca, profiteroles which didn't do anything interesting and prices which were way too expensive lent little to the evening. We all had a nice time, as a group of friends in a busy restaurant should, but the food at this place is overpriced and generally middling.
Clearly they are doing something right, since the overall popularity of the place remains suitably high and good for business. They are branded as "London's oldest family run restaurant" which is certain to attract local know-it-alls and a healthy crop of tourists. Despite the brimming atmosphere and friendly staff, I found that both the food and the prices were not much to write home about.
Il Portico
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