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!!

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.

Excellent pizza, service, and atmosphere. The service was great. Very friendly and attentive staff…read more The salads are very good too.

Having eaten in quite a few Zizzis around the country, I'm a big fan of their initiative and ethos,…read moreand their pasta is always superb. However, I didn't feel that this one was quite up to the exceptional standard of other branches I've visited - or maybe a Monday night wasn't the best time to visit. We were greeted courteously and quickly shown to a table - although it was hardly busy so the staff were practically falling over themselves to serve us. The first problem I had was with the atmospheric lighting, which in the front section seemed to come solely from tiny wall fittings. It was so dim that I had to use the torch app on my phone in order to read the specials menu, which was printed on a brown card insert in the menu. I also struggled to read the red wine choices, which were printed on a red background. Admittedly at my age I do sometimes struggle a bit in dim lighting, but even my colleague thought that this did seem a bit extreme! I ordered the seafood linguine, which is a fairly standard choice for me in Zizzi, and a side order of garlic bread. That was the second problem - the garlic bread arrived covered in cheese, although I hadn't asked for the cheesy version. However, it was soon replaced and the rest of the meal was as delicious as expected from Zizzis. Perhaps I was just a bit tired, but the overall experience this evening just served to take the edge off my love of this chain, and reduced the star rating of this particular branch. Sorry Zizzi - I still love you really.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!

I love this place. The food is really good, the service also really good and a great wine selection…read moreespecially the Barolo. Portion sizes are big for Italian restaurants of this quality and I would suggest having either a starter or a dessert - the problem is deciding which, as the starters are great and the tiramisu is as good as you will get anywhere.

A lively restaurant with lots of people in on a wednesday night. The food was good and the portion…read moresizes were huge!

Great food, good atmosphere, amazing value for money. highly recommended. :)read more