The Solo Scale:

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There are a lot of good food options in London, despite what some of the jokes might have you believe. If you have plans to see a show on the West End, there’s no lack of restaurant options nearby. On this particular occasion, I was craving some Italian and decided to do a walk-up at Ave Mario in Covent Garden.

It took a little while to find. Despite having a map and the restaurant address, the front of this restaurant is a little easy to miss. It’s a narrow little door that might deceive you into thinking it’s a tiny restaurant. Like the TARDIS, it’s bigger on the inside. Inside, it keeps going inwards and eventually downwards. Track where you’re being led, because you might end up needing directions to get back to the exit otherwise.

Each of the seating areas comes with its own unique decorative style. If you’re solo and dining at the bar, you’ll navigate your way through multiple rooms and then down sets of stairs until you arrive at the kitchen. The bar seating faces the kitchen, and this is where you can find your entertainment for the evening. The vibe is truly eclectic in the decoration. Each room has its own style, too. Sitting near the bar felt a little like I’d dropped a couple decades back into the past. However. the kitchen in front of me was sleek and modern.

As the name might indicate, you won’t be surprised to learn that the majority of the kitchen staff were Italian. It’s an atmospheric treat at the bar to eavesdrop on the rapid-fire Italian as the chefs prepare meals.

The Food

When it comes to the food, the affordable prices may deceive you. I had decided to order off the starter menu, getting the burrata (which is now described as generous, and that’s VERY accurate) and the carpaccio (no longer on the menu). The burrata was an incredibly large portion and the carpaccio arrived in what I can only describe as multiple plates. The waiter had to balance it with two hands. Both items were incredibly delicious, but it was too much. I regretted ordering both because of the size of them. I thought for the price and their placement on the starter menu that they would be small. Take this as a sign of Ave Mario’s quality. I enjoyed a drink and spent my time watching the kitchen, making small dents in the plate.

Unfortunately, I was going to a show and couldn’t bring leftovers. If I could, I could have fed myself for at least two more meals with the leftovers I had, and the price was incredibly affordable. The service was prompt and friendly. The only issue I had was that it was a long walk to get down to my seat, which meant a bit of an awkward climb back up when I was ready to leave.

Overall, Ave Mario is a great dinner option. It’s well-placed for a pre-show meal, has affordable prices, great food quality, an eclectic dining experience, and great staff. It’s a perfect choice for a dinner in London!

For more details and to peruse the menu, you can visit the website here!

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