The Italian Job Notting Hill

Nestled on a quiet residential street a stone’s throw from Portobello Road, The Italian Job is is the latest guise of this local pub. Its the the team’s third Italian craft beer pub in London after successes in Chiswick and Elephant & Castle. The pub’s imposing corner position hosts a spacious interior, including separate restaurant. The main bar has a bright and airy feel, and alongside the friendly staff makes for a warm welcome. An easy going spot to chill out in a busy corner of West London, particularly on a sunny evening after work.

The bar boasts fourteen different craft beers on draft including offerings from Ducato, their own house brewer, alongside London favourites like the Five Points Brewing Co. There’s a fine selection of Italian wines, and if you fancy something a little more exuberant head upstairs to Salotto 900, their speakeasy style cocktail bar, created with the help of Luca Corradini of The Savoy’s American Bar fame. There’s plenty to choose from whatever your tipple of choice.

If you’re looking for something to eat, the Italian Job serves two menus, both relatively reasonably priced for the area. The bar menu offers up a selection of burgers and sandwiches alongside, smaller snacks and sharing plates, in keeping with the theme of the pub, its a take on traditional pub grub with an Italian twist. The restaurant menu, however, is where the real taste of Italy comes through. The roasted octopus starter was elegant on a salad of mixed vegetables and olives, and the taste certainly didn’t disappoint!

The octopus was perfectly cooked and deliciously juicy, the salad provided the perfect fresh back drop. To follow up the menu has both a selection of pasta dishes and more traditional mains, which is a bit of a mixed bag. I’d certainly recommend the Stuffed Squid Ink Gnocchi and Seafood, with explosions of flavour in every mouthful and plenty of squid ink, which I must admit is a personal favourite. On the other hand the Sirloin Tagliata with Parmesan Flakes, Roast Potatoes & Spinach was disappointing. A nice piece of steak, it was under-seasoned and the parmesan flakes were lacking entirely.

On balance The Italian Job left us feeling it was somewhat of a mixed bag, the separation between pub and restaurant left the latter isolated from the warm ambiance of the rest of the venue, and the overall experience didn’t do justice to some impressive dishes. Notting Hill certainly isn’t lacking in options to eat or drink and I think The Italian Job will need to improve their consistency and attention to detail to rival the bright lights of neighbouring Portobello Road. Its a real shame because they have a great bar and beer selection, and some fantastic dishes, if you choose wisely, and perhaps there lies the rub.

Address: The Italian Job Notting Hill
45 All Saints Road
Notting Hill
W11 1HE

Website: www.theitalianjobpub.co.uk

Written by Alex Keighley