L'Amorosa

Andy Needham and his wife Lynne opened Amorosa almost a decade ago in September 2014, in a terrace of shops and restaurants near Ravenscourt Park. Andy was the head chef of Zafferano for fifteen years when it held a Michelin star, taking over as head chef there from Giorgio Locatelli. Amorosa was a simpler affair than Zafferano, a neighbourhood restaurant serving a shorter menu and slightly less ambitious dishes than Zafferano, but using many of the same ingredient suppliers. The dining room was split over two floors, with a bar area on the ground floor and an overflow seating area up a flight of stairs.

Saffron risotto (£28) was a signature of the restaurant, using aged carnaroli rice. The chicken stock flavoured the perfectly cooked rice, the hint of saffron adding an extra aromatic dimension to the dish. This has for many years been one of the very best risottos to be found in London (16/20).

Lamb ravioli (£24) featured ragu of slow-cooked Welsh lamb shoulder, guanciale and rosemary. This was a lovely, rich dish, the delicate but concentrated flavour of the lamb enhanced by the guanciale and balanced by the aromatic rosemary, with the handmade pasta excellent (14/20). For dessert, warm cherry and frangipane tart came with vanilla ice cream. The pastry was good and the acidity of the seasonal cherries nicely balanced the richness of the almond (14/20).

The bill came to £96 per person all in, which covered three courses plus corkage at £26 per bottle as well as service. This was the last night at L’Amorosa before it closed permanently, and it remains for me just to wish chef Andy Needham and his wife well for the future. I have had lots of excellent meals here over the last decade and I am very sad to see it go.

Further reviews: 21st Oct 2023 | 15th Oct 2022 | 29th Oct 2020 | 04th May 2019 | 05th Aug 2014