Style Points: 3/5
Price: ££
Overall: 3/5

One of the best places to find a variety of food in London is Covent Garden. Awash with restaurants and deals, it is hard to decide where to eat in Theatreland and the surrounding areas. Orso is a fully established restaurant and has been welcoming customers into its 1950s Milanese style basement restaurant for 30 years this year. Formerly an orchid warehouse, the soft lighting, white tablecloths and relaxed but sophisticated atmosphere is a welcome haven from the madness of Covent Garden.

Would I Want Seconds?

To start, I opted for the seasonal soup which was cauliflower on the day we visited. It was very thick in consistency (which I am not opposed to), was seasoned well and was filling. My vegetarian companion had a salad consisting of spinach, chicory, apple, fennel, spiced nuts and gorgonzola. He was pleasantly surprised by how well the different flavours complemented one another as it was an option he would not have normally chosen.

Seasonal Soup

Spinach and apple salad

The main course was the piece de resistance of the meal for both of us. I chose the spinach and ricotta cannelloni with a parmesan crust and it was delicious. Crisp on top with a rich tomato sauce, it was definitely the best part of the meal. My dining companion ordered asparagus and ricotta ravioli with mascarpone, lemon zest, petit pois and mint. The dish was light, flavoursome and you could taste every element included in the ingredients. Our dishes were the antithesis of one another, with my flavours being rich and strong and my partner’s creamy and light, and we both very much enjoyed them.

Ricotta ravioli

Cannelloni

For dessert, I swayed from my normal chocolate addiction and tried the ricotta cheesecake with mixed berry compote and hazelnut crunch. The cheese mixture itself was just as I desired but the dish was more of a deconstructed cheesecake and I missed the crunchy biscuit base that I am used to. My companion went for the mocha affogato and was pleased with the quality of the coffee and the overall taste.

Mixed berry cheesecake

Coffee to end the meal

Could I Afford Seconds?

The prices at Orso are varied with starters ranging from £5 to £11 and mains stretching from £11 to £26. The pre-theatre set menu offers 3 courses for £19.50 which is great value for money.

However, there is only one vegetarian option on this menu so if you do visit Orso I would advise you also take into consideration the a la carte menu when choosing your meal.

Overall?

In conclusion, we enjoyed our meal at Orso as it was clear that the quality of the cooking was very good and the ambience in the restaurant was relaxed and not too formal.

I felt that the options for vegetarians could be slightly more varied however the food that was available was tasty and satisfying. If you are with friends and looking for a good Italian before the theatre then I would definitely recommend Orso as an option.

Website: orsorestaurant.co.uk
Address: 27 Wellington St,London, WC2E 7DB
Closest Tube Station: Covent Garden