Il Vesuvio

112 Camden Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN1 2QX 01892 534420

If you’re feeling a bit down in the dumps with the state of the world, then may I recommend a trip to Il Vesuvio? It’s the gastronomic equivalent of a huge, fat hug and has less side effects than Prozac. You cannot help but come out of this place smiling, and just a wee bit in love with the wonderfully welcoming Maria and Alessandro. Foodwise, our meal kicked off pretty well. I had a generous plate of whitebait to chomp through, and the missus enjoyed her sardines. Both plates were accompanied by what appeared to be a pile of rather dull leaves, but in true Italian style the drizzling of robust, peppery olive oil elevated them into something decent. Things went a bit off the boil when it came to the mains. Or rather on the boil for a bit too long – our pasta dishes were both decidedly on the overcooked side. If I fancy a plate of carbonara in the future, I will definitely be sticking to Strada. However, all was forgiven on the last leg with a redemptive wild berry pannacotta. My only criticism was that I would have liked a bucket of it so I could stick my head in it. These people do good puds. But what I really loved about Il Vesuvio was the bill. You really cannot argue with twenty quid a head for a bottle of wine and three courses. For all that, we also got a post-meal liqueur thrown in. The owners were in a particularly jubilant, celebratory mood that night, so we also got a small snifter of champagne on our way out, too! But the best thing of all? The company. For this review, I drafted in the help of valued Anke Blog contributor and Camden Road enthusiast Anne and her husband, Richard, to give us their verdict. So here’s the experience from Anne’s point of view:
Maria and Alessandro Bicardi gave us the warmest of Italian welcomes when we came to eat at their restaurant. You’re greeted at the door by Alessandro and given genuine attentive service by Maria throughout the meal. You’re waved off home smiling, as if you’re a member of their family. A liqueur and cantucci at the end of the meal and glass of bubbly as we were about to leave were unexpected treats. Il Vesuvio lifts you for a few hours into Italian sunshine. And it also helps if you are with very good company, as we were. The food is plentiful and filling, in the manner of a family trattoria. As a vegetarian, I always expect Italian restaurants to come up with good meat-free alternatives, and there were several dishes to choose from. I had a very hearty minestrone soup to start which was crammed with twelve different types of vegetable. Very satisfying, with not too much garlic. It could have had some parmesan sprinkled on top for added flavour, but I am sure this would have been provided had I asked. I then chose a vegetariana pizza which was very large – quite different from the downsized chain pizzas –and with plenty of cheese and colourful vegetables. I’ve never had aubergine on a pizza before. I missed mushrooms, which I always associate with vegetarian pizzas, but it’s good to have a change. I promised to share my tiramisu with my husband, but magically it disappeared before he had more than a spoonful. My husband reports that his Afffetado de la Casa – cured meat selection – was fine but he particularly liked his Lasagna with home-made pasta. He cleared the plate and said it was delicious. He also commented that the background music level was just right, enough to give an Italian atmosphere. Opening a new restaurant in these difficult economic times can’t be easy and we say ‘Cin cin’ to Maria and Alessandro for giving Tunbridge Wells a welcoming new place to eat.

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Comments

[Manny]

Had a awful mean at Il Vesuvio when it first opened.

They didn't have enough menus so left us sitting at our table for 10 minutes until one came available but without explanation or apology until prompted or even an offer a drinks while we waited. Ordered a spaghetti dish, but when it arrived it was pasta shells again without any explanation just a shrug when I commented it was very strange looking spaghetti, the dish itself was a small mountain of pasta shell blandness. Promptly got ignored for 15 minutes after we had finished eating, I guess because most of Mont Blanc was still on the plate, ended up going up to the bar asking for bill and paying at the same time.

To be fair they had only been open a week or so and they were busy when we went in with some large tables just sat down, hence the lack of menus, so maybe it was teething problems but we won't be hurrying back.

[corine]

Very poor service… 4 of us went out for a meal on a Friday night. We sat next to an Italian couple who obviously spoke Italian. They received all the waiters’ attention whereas we were left with empty glasses and had to ask for more drinks… We also had to complain about the calzone pizza; there was no tomato sauce inside the calzone and it was filled with ricotta cheese (tasteless); we were told that yes calzone pizza normally have tomato sauce inside but they had their own recipe (even though the menu listed tomato sauce in the calzone…
Would not recommend and would not go back. no GRAZIE, NO thank you...

[Charli]

Had a lovely meal at Il Vesuvio. Waiters very friendly and attentive without being ott. Lovely atmosphere, can tell its a real family place.
Delicious food. Had the pancake thing- it was like spinach and ricotta in a pancake covered in a tomato sauce. Had the same thing when i went to Palio but this was much nicer. Slightly pricey. But overall very enjoyable.

[Luucy Stevens]

I have been to this restaurant twice so nfarn and am going again Saturday. I have had the best tomato sauce ever here. The staff are friendly and extremely attentive. Everything we ate was delicious. I adore italian food and this place is authentic and very good value. The cold meats were good, the fish fresh and tasty and the salad although simple had a fantastic oil and herbs added to give it a good taste. My partner even ate his which is something. THe meatballs were satisfying and delicious and the meals left enough room for a fab pudding of wild berry pannacotta. I never eat puddings but I was not giving any away this time.! All in all a lovely experience and we shall continue to go and eat here whenever we get the chance. My children enjoyed it too and they can be picky.

[dan Swift]

great, relaxed, good price, great food, bit slow sometimes, good house wines served by the caraf, very fattening. I would actually give it 4 stars for what it is and take a star off some of the more expensive places in T Wells which charge too much for what they think they are....