Paolo's restaurant neighbours the famous Norwich Market Square, with large windows installed on the side facing the public, so you can glance at the vibrant city life as it passes you by. Besides such a view, the majority of the interior offers just as much that is pleasant to the eye. Italian music is played on speakers, which adds to the authenticity of the Italian flavour of the restaurant, as does the Italian staff that serve you. Booking in advance is possible by telephone as well as on the website, but booking on the day is advisable by telephone. However it seems the restaurant does well to cater to spontaneous custom as well.
Portion size at Paolo's ranges from generous to normal-sized, it seems. When ordering the bruschetta for two as a starter, you are served four slices of toasted bread, topped with mountains of tomatoes and garnish, very well seasoned. Just one will suffice as a starter, if the intention is to order a main course as well. If other starters are similar in size, then pricing is fantastic at Paolo's. The number of variations of dishes cooked for main courses reflects the traditional nature of Italian dishes - simplicity over over-loading a dish with ingredients, allowing for greater diversity in the menu. The gnocchi are very well prepared and served piping hot, with servers offering both parmesan and pepper upon serving the dish.
While servers are attentive with regards to any requests, unfortunately this potentially can not be said to the same extent about dish prep. One course was served on a plate that was stained from previous meals, or during preparation. A further gripe, if only a minor one, is that only house wine is served by the glass. For those who enjoy different but sophisticated tastes in wine to their partners, the house wine will not do, but the bottles are too steep in price to consider. In conclusion, there are many elements at Paolo's that give it a comfortable air, but perhaps the staff itself has gotten a bit comfortable themselves, when being alert would be the right reaction. read more