My goodness talk about good homemade Italian food! This reminded of the type of Italian food that…read morean Italian grandmother would make at home for u. Everything I tried tasted real good. I tried their liver, eggplant "aubergine" parmigiana, simple arrabiata penne pasta, and mushroom risotto. The downside of this place is that it is by reservations only, and they hardly answer their phone. Forgot a $600 sunglasses in there and couldn't get it back. Other than that, it's worth a try and I think it's hands down the best Italian in town!

Charming Italian restaurant in a quaint part of the city. Food and decor is authentically Italian…read moreand prices are decent too. Highly recommended.

I phoned to book a table on a friday night as the restaurant had been recommended by a good friend…read moreof mine. I asked what time the place closed as being a friday night, I was aware, that, firstly they may be busy and secondly that I may not get home from work in time for an early booking. I was informed that the kitchen closed at 8.30pm so booked a table for 8.00pm telling them that we will try to be there earlier. We arrived at 5 past 8 to be greeted by a pleasant member of staff who showed us to our table. The restaurant was empty bar 2 people. As we were seated and began to get ourselves comfortable whilst perusing the menu we were met with raised voices in the kitchen 'didnt you tell them the kitchen closes at 8?' etc. As the waitress brought us bread and oil I informed her that we could hear what was being said in the kitchen and asked if we were causing a problem by being there. She said it was her fault not ours and not to worry. At which, as raised voices in the kitchen continued, a face appeared at the kitchen door and glared at our table. We left and went to our favourite, POLITE chinese restaurant instead. I was absolutely disgusted. Besides the fact the kitchen closes at 8.30 on a friday, no wonder they were so quiet if they greet paying customers (which they obviously need!) in such a manner. If they have been open for a year, I am amazed theyve achieved such feat, and doubt that they will make another one. I will not be recommending them to anyone and will rather travel a distance to get the pleasant service i (and anyone else) expects when they dine out.

16th Century coaching inn with two bars a central courtyard and a restaurant. Always a good…read moreatmosphere when I have been and we have certainly enjoyed their fine food and drink. The restaurant has an extensive menu of traditional Italian, with a variety of meat, fish, risotto, pasta, salads and pizza dishes although Iwe normally have the sunday roast (English). Reasonable prices.

Lovely old coaching inn with a nice restaurant and beautiful rooms.read more

I used to love going to this place when I was a student at Essex Uni…read more Great food and reasonable prices. On top of that, the atmosphere is really nice and the chef almost always comes out to say hello and chat about the food. It is small so they do cram you in but I think it's worth it!

Excellent, family run, small, Italian restaurant housed in a former church hall…read more Specialised in fish, but has most things. All prepared from scratch. Book ahead is essential.

We passed this restaurant on numerous occasions and, recently, noticed it was open so popped in for…read morea 'snack'. Modern interior with wonderful decking outside overlooking the river. Perfect for when the summer arrives. Certainly not the case today. Lovely welcome by the front of house manager. Obviously a very Italian influenced restaurant as all the staff we saw were Italian. I learned later that it was a family run business, and it showed in the service. Nothing was too much for them. As I said, we popped in for a snack and ordered a drink and mussels with a portion of fries (very Belgian, my heritage). The mussels were chosen from the starters menu. When they arrived they were in a delicious cream and chilli sauce. The quantity was outstanding. Starter???? We have been in restaurants where this quantity was a main course. With a choice of toasted bread slices. The fries were magnificent and, also, enough for two people. As we ate the chef came past and asked if we liked the mussels 'the way my mama taught me'. 'Use your spoon for the suppa'. A great character and he did know his trade. A very interesting menu and we will return in the evening, some time, to try their main menu. Worth a trip when the weather is fine for, maybe, just a drink from the bar watching the river flow by and the kayaking.

Excellent Italian food. Very friendly staff. The dessert cart was awesome. Full of fresh Italian…read moredesserts. Recommend making reservations. Closed on Sundays and Mondays.

This review starts with a story that may well be apocryphal but it certainly got me to venture into…read morethis restaurant. It seems that, in some distant year, the restaurant was full and the guests were enjoying the excellent cuisine when one decided that his food wasn't quite to his liking. Now, the exact details of his complaint have been lost through time but the rection of the owner/chef has not. Apparantly, so incensed was he by the complaint and apparent affront to his culinary abilities that he stormed out of the kitchen and into the dining area and started throwing tea towels at the hapless diner. Sadly, I cannot confirm or deny the facts and have only been witness to a few raised voices from the kitchen but, as this is an Italian restaurant, I would expect no less. The food - which is the main point of this review - is absolutely superb. Pricey in these recessionary times but, if you want a special treat, take the plunge!

My boyfriend and I recently went to Artista for a meal, we found it to be a very pleasurable…read moreexperience. The staff are very friendly and helpful and the menu is so enticing it's difficult to choose what you want to eat!. The food is very authentic Italian and tastes divine. I have a big love of Italy and visit the country quite frequently, so it was nice to find a restaurant that offered such authentic tasty dishes in my home town. I'd definitely recommend a visit to Artista is you're after some well priced yummy food, you won't be disappointed at all!.

authentic italian food cooked and prepared on the premises. staff friendly and welcomming. can be a…read moretad expensive at night but their meals during the day offer great value for money. now that the pizza chain has moved out of the town centre (hurrah) people can at last experience quality pizzas and pasta.