Benoli — Restaurant in Norwich

A lot of people are calling Benolis the best Italian restaurant in Norwich so I had to check it out. I phoned up to reserve a table for mothers day, I asked for a 1pm table but when I explained we had a newborn, I was politely informed that if I came at 12.30 there would be a perfect table for our needs, so the travel system & baby could sit comfortably next to our table. Good initial impressions, the man on the phone seemed very accommodating on booking.

On arrival at 12.30, the waitress showed us to our table; downstairs, next to the bar in the main thoroughfare of the restaurant, with very little space for our needs! Far from ideal given our situation. I explained I was told on the phone there would be a perfect table for us but sadly this was incorrect. I asked for another table as this just wasn't suitable, so the waitress showed me the very top floor... Again, highly unsuitable climbing 2 flights of lengthy stairs. I explained again that this was not what we wanted, and eventually we were given the perfect table in the corner of the 1st floor, why this wasn't suggested initially I don't know.

When the menus arrived, I was puzzled to see there was no pizza on the menu. I do enjoy a good, high quality stone baked pizza, this was what I wad looking forward to from what I had assumed was an authentic Italian restaurant. Foolishly, I had not looked at the menu beforehand, this was my fault but I still feel it was a fair assumption. I asked the waiter for a pizza menu and it was politely explained that they're not actually an Italian restaurant, but a pasta restaurant. I was disappointed as this didn't meet my expectations but I put this down to my incorrect assumption. Since then I've googled it, it even says on the website they're an Italian restaurant! Not an incorrect assumption after all.

Anyway, we ordered our food & drinks. The service was fantastic, the waiter did a great job memorising the menu and explaining what everything was. I ordered the lamb shoulder pasta, it was superb. No complaints, the portion a little on the small side for me but I do have a healthy appetite. Food 4.5/5

Again baby related complaint - There is nowhere to change your baby. This was the first meal out for us as new parents, so we were naive to this, assuming if you've mentioned when booking you have a newborn there would be adequate facilities. Our only option was to climb downstairs, changing the baby on the floor of the open bathroom while the other parent was the look out to ensure nobody came in. Far from perfect, but just about doable. An oversight on our parts, but I do feel this should be mentioned on booking and hopefully this will help others in the same predicament.

My final complaint, there are lots of steps and even tiny little steps which could pose a trip hazard. Entering the downstairs toilet, there are large steps, then a tiny lip on a step. As a fully abled person, this isn't something I'd usually pick up on. But when looking after a newborn and a disabled mother in law, it was evident there...

Not up to its usual standard- disappointed.

My partner and I have been fans of Benoli’s for a long time and visited on many an occasion. In the past it has been great value for big flavour, modern pasta dishes and we’ve been excited to go back. Sadly, for a family birthday meal last night we were left wanting more. It generally felt like we had been cheated a little bit out of our money. I should say the service staff were good, and the parmesan croquets continue to live up to their reputation. The things that were not up to their usual standard:

1. The drinks; my favourite cocktail is the Lemongrass and Kaffir Fitzgerald. It’s sublime. Usually when the cocktail is presented they bring out the Kaffir lime oil drops and add them to the cocktail at the table, and usually they are nicely generous with the oil drops; at least 7-8 good sized drops so you can get a taste with most sips. Last night, I got four tiny drops added. No where near enough. I felt for £12.50 you should be able to taste the lime. It felt stingy.

2. The drinks again; we ordered an extra 2 drinks before our main was due to have with it. They didn’t arrive until our the main was finished. May as well have not ordered them at all.

3. The mains. The pork cheek ragu was perfectly OK, but not anything the write home about. The squid ink cavatelli was over salted and the baby octopus overdone and chewy. The Beef sirloin main, priced at £32, looked like the sirloin had been cut in half (thickness wise). It was very thin, but for the price tag, was VERY little steak and not worth the cost.

Generally we’re were disappointed in the dishes and drinks, and after a long stint of itching to re-visit we will much more hesitant to...

Dinner An amazing Italian restaurant. Wow,Wow and double Wow. Benoli, a modern, three-floored Italian restaurant, hidden up an alley in the city centre of Norwich. Run by brothers Ben & Oliver. Hence, the name. Chef Oliver – a MasterChef: The Professionals finalist who has worked for Gordon Ramsay and was head chef at Roux at the Landau in London.

When looking for somewhere to eat in Norwich, you are spoilt for choice. You would have to stay at least a week to try them. But we just had to go here. As it was a Saturday night, we could only get a table reservation for 5.30pm. Which suited us, as we'd skipped breakfast and lunch. Thank goodness we did.

It's not a large menu, and it's a good job as we were overwelmed by what was on offer. So much so that we practically ordered most of the menu.

You can't come here without having the 24-month parmesan croquettes.

Cobble Lane coppa ham & focaccia

Antipasti Burrata, bbq'd beetroot, blood orange, pistachio & wildflower honey focaccia

Hake kiev, nduja butter, whipped baccala and coppa ham. This was outstanding.

Beef carpaccio Harry's Bar dressing, parmesan, garlic & bone marrow potato bread

Side of San Marzano tomato salad, cucumber & seaweed dressing

Pasta 24-month parmesan bottone, courgette, chilli, lemon & basil

Pea & ricotta scarpinocc. fresh peas, oregano & pistachio

Dessert Chocolate & dulce de leche tiramisu, mascarpone ice cream We weren't going to have dessert as we were completely stuffed, but how can you not?

If you only have time for one place to visit in Norwich, then it's got to be here. It's probably the greatest Italian restaurant in the UK, and not a pizza in sight. Wouldn't be surprised if they got a Bib...