La Fenice is a good Italian restaurant…read more However, it has all the makings of a GREAT Italian restaurant if it could succumb to a few simple tweaks. I went there with friends recently. The vibe of the places squeals 'style', the friendly smiling attention of the servers likewise. Then we we given the menus. The combination of low light, nothing specific illuminating our table and pale grey printing on the pages of the menu meant... well, it meant we couldn't actually see what was on offer! I am not making this up when I say to read it we had to spark up a smartphone and hold it over the pages and then lean in as a combined trio to pore over the contents. So simple suggestion 1:- Quickly reprint the menus using good old fashioned black ink and save your diners the embarrassment and awkwardness of having to squint like a very squinty thing. Simple Suggestion #2:- If you must play music over the speakers, please, please, PLEASE play something that is in keeping with the stylish vibe of the place. I will remember La Fenice's craptastic selection of horrible saxophone solos, cheesy light jazz rubbish, out-of-tune wailers and (at one point an utterly bizarre choice of) German oompah band music FAR longer than I will remember the food I ate there. And the food is good. One of our party had a pizza which looked inviting and was polished off in its 14" entirety whilst the other two opted for the risottos (mushroom or chicken) which came out from the kitchen hot and steaming and very tasty indeed, garnished and accompanied perfectly. The food served to the tables around us all looked terrific and almost everyone seemed to be having a nice time... even if eyebrows did collectively raise when that oompah tune came on. Le Fenice's website - just discovered - states that fish is their speciality. I wish I had known that on the night as its been a long time since I've had a good Italian fish dish. Sadly, the design of the menu meant I never even saw this kind of offering to choose it. Like I said. A good Italian restaurant with all the makings of being a great one. Worth a try if you take along a flashlight/torch and a sturdy pair of music-blocking earplugs!

I love this restuarant! The staff are so friendly and helpful and are able to cater for any special…read moredietary needs. The food is basic Italian, with a couple of English dishes (Steak etc). The price is very reasonable, and the size of the portions is huge! The lunchtime menu is especially good value for money. The atmosphere and decor of Fenice is very clean and modern, it's quite small so on busy nights you might need to book. I reccommend this place 100% it's lovely in every aspect!!

This beautiful, family run restaurant is run in such a beautiful way. Real Italian food from the…read moreVeneto region in Italy and a huge emphasis on friendly service and comfy surroundings. There's loads to choose from on the anti-pasti (starters) menu and last time I ate there I had the Insalata Caprese which was actually quite filling. For main, I highly recommend the Pappardelle Cinghiale which is pasta with a wild boar meat sauce. You can't find that in many places around here and its one of my favourites. Try it with their house red wine and you won't be disappointed!

The cricket season will soon be with us up at the Castle, which will mean more frequent visits to…read morethe Osteria during the lunch break. What better place to be.Lovely castle, lovely town therefore lovely Pappardelle's! I am an Espresso addict, and it has to be a double, whereas my wife likes the Lemon and Ginger tea here. Whatever your preference this place has it all.. Recommend the Pesccatore sandwiches(salmon, spring onions and creme freche), you should be warned that these can lead to severe addiction as they are mmmmmmmmmmmm! Follow these by a Pain Raisin/Choc and you will have difficulty not having another one. If you do, you will have even greater problems getting back up to the cricket ground!! Can't wait.then go anytime, you'll enjoy it!!

very good food big portions and very nice good quality…read moreingredients and very helpful staff

Great authentic Italian food complete with surly barman which is the only reason not to give 5…read morestars. Very accommodating were happy to give the pasta we wanted with sauce from a different dig. Also did pasta mains as starter which was excellent. Desserts are home made and to die for. Price was excellent too. Best Italian in Hampshire.

It was very tasty, i mean Italian dishes are wonderful but this is out of this world great…read more I had their special pasta and burger with my date and it was spectacular Very great reception also

This was the first pizza restaurant I have been to since I came to the UK, I ordered barbecue pizza…read moreI remembered, and after a few times discovering and trying, now I have decided that I favorite pizza here is barbecue since there is no durian pizza or fruit pizza here. By the way, we really enjoy fruit pizza and it is not weird at all !

Wonderful food and ambience; enjoyed a Negroni, Barbera d'Asti, pizza and pork cutlets parmigiana…read more Also good service and overall hospitality

Great authentic Italian restaurant real treat not to go to a chain and have the feel of a family…read morerun restaurant with great food and atmosphere.

Sometimes you go to a restaurant regularly and you begin to forget it is special, that happened to…read moreme with Piccolo Mondo. My son goes to university in Southampton and every time I visit we go to Piccolo Mondo, as it is his favorite pizza anywhere. I've never had a bad meal but today reminded me how great it is. I started with the burrata special, which was incredible. Not only fresh and hearty portion of burrata, but a ton of prosciutto and great spices, so the cheese did not get overwhelming. I wasn't that hungry so I ordered the prawns as a main, I was in awe at how many very large prawns I got. The butter/oil garlic sauce was also great, and even the salad that accompanied it was special. I've never been disappointed in the service, and this visit was again both friendly and efficient. I heartily recommend.

Without reservations and upon a recommendation by a volunteer at the SeaCity Museum, we went there…read more(just across the street). Excellent recommendation! In reviewing the previous comments, there is really nothing more I can add except it met expectations. A very cozy small place I'd call a hidden gem. Probably should book ahead just in case.

Amazing place! Haven't had better food, service, or a fun time since I've been on the Isle of…read moreWight. The owner and the staff are just brilliant. I can't recommend this place enough. We were visiting family while over from the US and this place has a fantastic atmosphere and great food.

great food and excellent service. the staff was so friendly even though my baby was crying all the…read moretime. The food was great and the portions were big. i highly recommend this restauran.

The food is very good as well as the service. The only issue is there are some menu items come with…read morechillis and yet the food is not spicy at all.

The restaurant is set on the High Street in Botley, with parking to the rear. Booking is highly…read morerecommended. I must confess, I eat here far too often. The food is simply superb. I have never had a single complaint about any of the dishes I have eaten - a few of which I have listed below. Starters Asparagus spears with brie and parma ham. Melon and parma ham King scallops Deep fried brie Antipasto Mains Ostrich fillets in a wild berry jus Mushroom Raviolini Breat of chicken on a bed of tagliatelle Pork belly Spaghetti with meatballs Penne with chorizo American Hot pizza Pizza Zingara Regginas have a specials board, full of wonderful creations cooked to perfection. Pricier than the main menu but divine. I cannot comment too much on dessert because I have the same one every time - tiramisu. It's exquisite and I absolutely recommend trying it. Starters are around £7.95. Mains - pizzas are £8.95, Pastas are around £10.95 and other meals range from £13.95 up to £20. So by no means a cheap place to eat, but absolutely worth every penny that you do spend. The wine selection is extremely good - I can recommend the Prosecco, Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Chianti and Barolo. The staff are wonderful and the building itself is charming - exposed beams give this restaurant a 'cosy' feel. Definitely worth a visit and I have no doubt that this will become a favourite of yours too!

Nice romantic setting, although occasionally overwhelmed by a larger party. Food is spot on, and…read moreservice is always well above average. I'm always in awe of the deserts on display, but rarely have any space to indulge.

Fantastic service and excellent food! I highly recommend this restaurant off the main path and…read moreworth the 10 minute walk from downtown area

I've been here twice for a birthday and a year-end meal and I was really please with both! The…read moreSpecial Tavernetta pizza was delicious and features artichokes, mushrooms, onions, pepperoni & pesto. The crust was thin but still a little chewy and very delicious. The tagliatelle arlequino was also very good and a popular choice at the birthday dinner! It has bacon, mushrooms, onions, peppers, tomato & cream and the tagliatelle was a good pairing with the rest of the ingredients. It seems like a good place to go on a date as it's got a lovely interior with dim lighting. The restaurant has three floors and the first floor seems to have a more intimate setting. The bathrooms are on the second floor so be careful going down the steps, especially in heels! They've recently renovated the bathrooms and updated the interiors, signs and menus - it looked nice before but is great now!