Comments on a rather unusual chinaman: It's all business at L'Anima, The City

@Lizzie and AAIL it was dinner I had - but I'm...

2009-09-21T16:32:14.333+01:00

@Lizzie and AAIL it was dinner I had - but I'm a big ol' dessert girl and there wasn't anything on the dessert menu that jumped out and said "eat me" - but then maybe it was just the kind of desserty item I was after (there didn't seem to be many warm options).

World Foodie Guide - what do you mean by "Pe...

2009-09-20T22:43:27.472+01:00

World Foodie Guide - what do you mean by "Perhaps it was the clientele"?

Interesting review. I am very keen to try it. Sham...

2009-09-20T19:36:46.285+01:00

Interesting review. I am very keen to try it. Shame about the lunch menu, I know they're often less interesting but they shouldn't be.

That's how I felt about dinner at L'Anima....

2009-09-20T11:07:04.992+01:00

That's how I felt about dinner at L'Anima. My expectations were too high after hearing so much hype. As a result, I left feeling slightly underwhelmed. I mean, everything was delicious and I was shown the kitchen and the wine cellar and the private dining room. Perhaps it was the clientele? Can't quite put my finger on it...

Yes I also enjoyed that mushroom dish but it was c...

2009-09-20T10:56:27.706+01:00

Yes I also enjoyed that mushroom dish but it was certainly a stand out dish - the others were a bit dull. I'd be interested to see their dinner menu but having read such conflicting reviews it isn't exactly at the top of the list.

@s Shame to hear that your service was dubious at ...

2009-09-19T00:03:32.412+01:00

@s Shame to hear that your service was dubious at best. It can really take the glean off a good evening, even if the food is good.

@Lizzie and AAIL - I haven't written off L'Anima, I love Italian food and as soon as I have saved up my pennies I will be back for dinner!

To echo Lizzie's point (and having eaten both ...

2009-09-18T23:03:16.131+01:00

To echo Lizzie's point (and having eaten both lunch and dinners there), I think L'Anima's lunch menu isn't half as tasty or interesting as the dinner menu. Also, while the crowd at dinner is still well-heeled, the atmosphere is more relaxed and fun in the evening.

So perhaps give the dinner a try. I've been craving their fritto misto lately and think that dish alone justifies a return trip.

I quite liked that mushroom truffle dish at Taste,...

2009-09-18T13:22:42.875+01:00

I quite liked that mushroom truffle dish at Taste, but their other dishes left me unexcited. I always find dinner menus much more interesting than their cheaper set menus.

I'm questioning their ruthless efficiency! T...

2009-09-18T11:55:48.756+01:00

I'm questioning their ruthless efficiency!

TEN MINUTES between first main course to arrive at our table and the third main course to arrive at our table (which I had to ask for, by which time my pasta had gone cold).

No apology either, though strangely tables around us weren't having the same issues. Is it because we didn't order wine? Or is it because we were the scruffiest scruffs in there?

Lunch deal sounds very good value, though my (cold) main wasn't worth its high price. I'd give it another go for lunch, but probably won't be back for dinner.