Restaurant Review

Date: 10 October 2008

Both times I've been to 'Jamie's' I've had a fantastic, reasonably-priced meal. The chicken ceasar salad is absolutely declicious and the 'world's best olives' really are pretty good! You might have to wait (go early to avoid this) but otherwise I'd say that it's definitely worth it.

Reviewed by: Hels

Date: 10 August 2008

Last night (a Saturday), my husband Tom and I ate at Jamie's Italian. Knowing they don't accept bookings for tables with less than 8 people, we went a bit earlier than we would normally - at 7pm - and took our chances. It was raining pretty steadily and there was already a good queue by the time we got there. I was told to stand in the queue and they would come get our name and the number of people in our party. I was told to expect to wait 15 minutes to get into the bar, and then a further 10 to get to the table. That sounded reasonable, so we stayed. We waited about 25 minutes huddled under an awning, and then a further 10 at the bar before being shown to a table downstairs.

The downstairs is decorated very differently from the upstairs. Upstairs is light and spacious with a pretty chandelier and lots of food decoration. Downstairs is darker and a bit urban with the walls decorated with a cross between graffiti and my favourite 'pipes' screen saver. The table was small, but was well located and allowed us to both see the room (instead of one of us staring at the wall).

At the bar we ordered a glass of Montepulciano, but were told they were out. They suggested the Chianti instead, which we agreed to, but didn't care for. It tasted watery. At the table the our waitress offered tap water and took our order for their house red - Organic Sangiovese Terre Di Chieti Abruzzo 2007 Ciao (£3.95/glass). Our appetizers followed shortly. Tom and I started with the crispy squid with spicy roasted red pepper mayo (£4.75) and the crispy polenta chips with rosemary salt (£2.50). Both were delicious. The spicy mayo wasn't spicy, but it was very flavourful and complimented the squid nicely. The squid came in the shape of four fat curled rings with no heads or tentacles, which was a very pleasant surprise. The polenta chips were bite sized nuggets of polenta that were soft on the inside, crisp on the outside, and seasoned perfectly with rosemary salt and bits of fresh rosemary. It was a beautiful sensation to pop one in your mouth and experience the texture and flavour as it dissolved on the tongue.

The mains arrived in perfect time. Tom ordered the Grilled Tuna Steak Salad (£14.50) and I the Honeycombed Cannelloni (£8.75). Both looked fantastic. Tom's tuna was cooked to perfection - seared on the outside and very pink on the inside. It was marinated in a lemony peppery marinade and was very flavourful and tender. The salad was a mix of greens with green beans, olives, tomatoes and some large, homemade croutons. The croutons were a bit oily and chewy, but the rest of the dish was outstanding. My canneloni was superb - bite sized pasta tubes filled with ricotta and herbs, baked in a mushroom and tomato sauce and served in a rustic baking pan. The cannelloni were perfectly cooked and served at the correct temperature for immediate eating. Neither of us were able to finish our meals because the servings were quite large.

Too full for dessert, I ordered a glass of sweet dessert wine (Moscato Rosa Veneto), which was cold and delicious and sweet without being sticky. Tom had a double espresso (looked more like a single) and a sambuca, which was dissapointingly served without the traditional floating coffee beans.

As we sipped our drinks and reflected on the meal, Tom and I agreed that Jamie's is without a doubt the best Italian restaurant in Oxford. The menu is very well thought through from the ingredients to the presentation. Jamie knows food, without a doubt. The restaurant is busy, buzzy, and a tad on the noisy side, but not overly so. I was thinking that the music was unnecessary and that it should be turned off until the Jackson 5 came on and I changed my mind. It seemed to fit the atmosphere well, as do the quirky and cool waitstaff.

I will give this restaurant a 9.5 out of 10 and the only reason they aren't getting full marks is because I really dislike their no reservation taking policy. Otherwise, they are fantastic and well worth a visit.

Reviewed by: Alissa J. Robinson, editor of Oxford City Guide

Date: 06 June 2008

Our most talked about mockney chef has opened on George Street, to great fanfare and perpetual queues.  I have to be honest, I wanted to dislike this latest addition to George Street, but I found it hard.

Arriving at the back of the early evening queue at around 7:30pm, we found ourselves escorted in to stand at a packed bar within less than five minutes, where although plenty of staff were present, very few seemed to be serving.  A quick bottle of birthday fizz was soon ordered, however, and we found a space to stand near the bread bar, where a lone chef was producing all desserts and breads, yet still finding enough time to be polite and cheery to us customers who were helping ourselves to his breads.

Seated at a great table within ten minutes, all staff were now scuttling around and performing their duties tremendously well. Menus were delivered and food was ordered.  Both my companion and I chose to go for a full three courses of Antipasti, followed by Primo followed by Secondi (a nice chance to avoid pudd and still get a hugeish meal).

Beginning with Jamie's "best olives on earth" - only seven or eight of them sitting on ice with an earth-moving tapenade - I became slowly rather impressed.  Although our Antipasti never came, they offer a nice selection of either meat or vegetarian planks, which arrive quirkily (I won't spoil surprises of how!) which would have been pleasant.

My Primo of spaghetti bolognese has to be the best I have ever encountered, boasted by wonderfully authentic chef Gino as his finest simple dish. My companion had a peculiar pumpkin ravioli. Both dishes were scattered with some grand parmesan and seasoned to perfection.

Main course was the traditional old steak - good enough, but not a patch on the spag bol.  It came served with crisp, peppery rocket and some delicious baked mushrooms.  Companion opted for a feast of beef carpaccio and rocket, which arrived on a plate large enough to dwarf the table.

No desserts - we were too damned full, although I will venture back for their tiramisu.

The place is very good, incredibly busy, and has great ambience.  I hate to say their biggest failing is typographical, for as you descend the very smart staircase at Jamie's (note correct placement of apostrophe), you arrive at a door marked Ladie's - and that makes my boil!!!

Reviewed by: Max Mason

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