Gloria — Restaurant in London

(Short review:)

The food is fu*%ing amazing! The service is top notch and the interior is lovely and romantic. I’d give it 100 stars if I could!!!

(Long Review:)

So I have been thinking about my restaurant reviews lately. I have had some modest success and have even gained a few followers, and I have wondered what makes a good review? What can I say that will encourage or delight you enough to try a new dining experience?

I recently saw a post in IG about unique ways Londoners say “I love you.” One was “I would travel from south London to north London during a train strike for you.”

So, my dears, I would travel from south London (so far out there is no tube station) during a strike to eat at this restaurant. I would even travel again from the Pacific Northwest of the United States again to eat at Gloria. Never was a restaurant more aptly named, for it is, indeed glorious!

The best food is like music. It is a symphony of excellently balanced notes with each individual member harmonizing and supporting the other, and that is what the food at Gloria is, a symphony. The two starters which we had, the “Aspargi Con Salsa Verde” and “Simply the Best Bruschetta” (their name not mine, though I do not disagree with the them), were a perfect introduction. The asparagus was tender and brilliantly green (which for anyone who has cooked the stuff knows is damn difficult to achieve) and with the bright verde sauce, two-year old Parmigiano Reggiano, and the surprising (I say surprising because I wouldn’t have thought they would go well, but they did) hazelnuts was a deceptively simple dish. Then the Bruschetta, which is also a deceptive dish for its simplicity, was lovely. The creaminess of the stracciatella from Puglia was balanced so well with the pesto, crispy bread, and the acidity of the fresh tomatoes. It reminded me of eating fresh tomatoes, bread, and cheese from the market on the sun-warmed steps near the Santa Maria del Fiore. The very best food evokes memories I think, and this one transported me back to being 20 and in Florence.

If our starters reminded me of being young and in Florence, our mains, the Ravioloni Al Formaggio and Paccheri Alla Norma made me feel like I was at home in my great-grandmother’s kitchen. When my GG would cook I could feel her love in the food, and that is what this food made me feel, love. The food at Gloria has been created thoughtfully and with love and it comes through with every bite. The perfectly cooked Ravioloni with its with smoked stracciatella and ricotta with the Parmigiano cream and wild garlic sauce was the crescendo for my evening. A dish so well balanced and flavorful that I wanted to lick the dish clean. It was a lovely counterpoint to the Norma with its earthy tomato and aubergine sauce and fresh ricotta al limone.

Finally we finished our meal with the Sorbetto del Giorno, which was strawberry that day. I fear I have no picture because it was too delicious and didn’t last long. It was the perfect finale to the most soulful and delicious meal.

The service was impeccable and our waiter was charming and helpful. The interior of the restaurant is utterly delightful. Take someone you love with you or someone you’re actually fond of, for the interior is romantic and gorgeously decorated. (Yes, I suppose you can take business people or friends here as well and they will appreciate the excellent food. You could even take annoying family members as their mouths will be too busy eating and they might shut up for more than 5 minutes.) But really, I think you should take someone you love (or want to love) here.

Eating at Gloria for the first time will now be a lovely memory, but I think what made Gloria exceptional was the memories of the past it brought up for me as well. But perhaps that is what the very best dining experiences do, they are that magical alchemy of food and memory.

(Oh, and it really is worth traveling to even during a...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Restaurant Gloria, and I must say, it exceeded all my expectations! From the moment I stepped inside, I was greeted by an amazing ambiance that set the perfect tone for the evening.

The personnel at Gloria are truly exceptional - super friendly and always wearing a warm smile. Their friendly attitude made me feel right at home. Our lovely waiter, Francesca, was an absolute delight. She was attentive, knowledgeable, and made our dining experience even more enjoyable.

Now, let's talk about the food! It was nothing short of fantastic. The menu offered a large variety of delicious typical dishes, and every bite was a delight to the taste buds. The prices were great, considering the quality and portion sizes. I must say, the flavors were simply delicious.

One thing that caught my attention was the restaurant's exterior. Its classic appearance beautifully adorned with plants and ivy made it stand out. However, stepping inside revealed a classy interior that was different than what I expected, adding a touch of surprise to the experience.

Now, let’s talk pizza!! It was absolutely amazing and hands down one of the best pizzas I've had in London. The crust was perfectly crispy, and the toppings were incredibly flavorful. Each bite was a delightful explosion of taste.

And let's not forget about the pasta. What sets Restaurant Gloria apart is that they make their pasta in-house. The freshness and quality were evident in every bite. I had the pleasure of trying the Girella with Bolognese sauce, and it was truly outstanding. The pasta was cooked to perfection, and the rich, hearty Bolognese sauce was the perfect complement. It was a true Italian culinary masterpiece.

What made the evening even more special was the personalized touch. Since it was my birthday, they placed a small candle on my dessert, making me feel extra special. And to top it off, they graciously offered us Limoncello on the house as we left. It's those little gestures that leave a lasting impression.

I can't wait to revisit Restaurant Gloria on my next trip to London. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance because the place is always bustling with patrons. Once you experience it for yourself, you'll understand why. The combination of amazing ambiance, friendly personnel, fantastic food, and those extra touches make it a truly memorable dining destination.

Thank you, Restaurant Gloria, for an unforgettable evening....

I started my Londons Italian trio/quartet with Gloria; I had heard a lot about this, naturally I was super excited and went there with high hopes, and Gloria did live up to the expectations. Having visited all 3, for me Gloria tops the list. I strongly recommend booking the table 2-3 weeks in advance.

Okay now let’s jump into it.

Gloria offers an inviting escape into the rustic charm of Italy, blending exceptional food with a thoughtfully designed ambiance. From the moment you step inside, the warm, cozy atmosphere is palpable. The decor feels effortlessly elegant yet homely, and soft, ambient lighting. Vintage Italian accents, potted greenery, and hand-painted ceramics create a setting that transports diners straight to a countryside trattoria in Italy. However, my minor complain is that my table (like few others) did not have enough space to accommodate drinks, appetisers and mains simultaneously. So deducting one point for this.

The Food: • Truffle & Mushroom Pizza - 9/10 - This pizza is a masterpiece for truffle lovers. The thin, crispy crust was baked to perfection, providing the ideal canvas for the rich, earthy flavors of the truffle and mushrooms. Each bite delivered a luxurious balance of creamy mozzarella, aromatic truffle oil, and the umami of sautéed mushrooms. It ticked all the boxes for me hitting the right spots on the palette without being overpowering. This is a definite highlight of the menu. (Be it pizza or a pasta) • Paccheri Arrabbiata - 6/10 paccheri pasta, holds the arrabbiata sauce well. The sauce was bit bland or mild on the flavour palette as it somewhere missed the right kick of chili & garlic, making it flavorful yet not overly spicy. Overall this was simple and decent but nowhere in comparison with the truffle & mushroom. Deducting one more point for this from overall score. • Tiramisu - 8/10 Tiramisu was just wow! It was so tempting that I completely forgot to click a photo. It had rich & flavourful taste and soft velvety texture with creamy finish that lingered on the palate for quite awhile.

Service and Overall Experience: The staff is attentive, knowledgeable, and passionate about the menu, offering great suggestions without being intrusive. The restaurant manages to strike a balance between casual and upscale dining, making it perfect for both intimate dinners and small...