Review: Rossopomodoro Covent Garden and WIN a Meal out for a family of 4!

You may or may have noticed (or not even remotely cared!) that I’ve been a bit quieter on this blog over the Easter break, and that’s because I decided to take a breather and spend some quality time with the family, and over several days this quality time involved some lovely days out. 

During the first week of the Easter holidays, we decided to meet Adam after work for a trip on the London Eye (more on that in another post), before hitting a restaurant in Covent Garden that was totally new to us, Rossopomodoro (try getting your kids to sound that out during phonics practice!). 

Rossopomodoro are a small chain of authentically Italian restaurants, mainly based in London (although they have branches at a few other spots across the UK), and when they invited our family to give them a go, we jumped at the chance. As a family, we are often lucky enough to eat out fairly regularly, and working, living and playing in London, we are spoilt for choice. But finding a new family-friendly gem that isn’t the regular chain pizza place up the road is high up on our culinary list!

We decided to choose one of their restaurants in Covent Garden as we could have a stroll over the river from the Eye, but also because we just love the hustle and bustle and people-watching-potential of the area. And indeed, we weren’t disappointed when it came to the latter: On arrival we were seated on a spacious table near the window, complete with our very own basil plant which delighted Freddie (6) and Sasha (4) no end. Brownie points already and we hadn’t even eaten. 

The staff serving us were really friendly and approachable, high-fiving the kids and making sure we had everything we needed, plus knowledgeably answering any questions we had regarding the large menu. We ordered still, bottled water and apples juices (for the children), plus a bottle of actually very nice house white for Adam and myself (well, a small glass for pregnant old me!). 

After perusing the menu for what seemed likes ages (so much choice!), I settled on the Frittatine to start (pasta croquettes with Bechamelle, green peas and mozzarella with a basil mayo) and classic Carbonara for main. Adam went for Bruschette to kick off his dinner, and then one of the specials: spaghetti with whole crab, cherry tomatoes, chilli and parsley. The prices at Rossopomodoro are slightly more expensive (but not extortionately so) compared to some other big chains, but if you read on, it appears that you get what you pay for here, and the choice and ambiance is just fantastic.

The children’s menu was simple but appetizing, with talk of “breadcrumbed chicken fillet and homemade potato wedges” and “dough balls flavoured with basil pesto, garlic and Parmesan cheese”. The eventually both opted for dough balls to start, with F choosing ham and mushroom pizza for main, and S going for Spaghetti Bolognese.

On arrival, every single one of our dishes was a visual treat, so beautifully presented (especially the whole crab, wowsers!), and portions were extremely generous, which people may or may not love depending on which end of the spectrum your appetite sits. Top marks go to the flavouring in our dishes, with Adam’s tomatoes in his bruschetta being particularly flavorsome and tasty, and my carbonara was spot on. We were also impressed with the amount of bolognese in Sasha’s dish, especially in comparison with other restaurant chains, where you get a heap more pasta and what seems like a token dollop of bol.

I was tempted to skip dessert (stuffed!), but being the sucker that I am, chose the most delicious ricotta panacota with white chocolate and redcurrants. The children had ice cream, and Adam had the most incredible ‘Brioche al Gelato‘ (Homemade buffalo milk ice cream, stuffed in a warm brioche and served with your choice of topping)- which Freddie and Sasha helped him polish off!

Delicious. 

When it came to our food, if I was being really picky for the sake of this review, we would say that Adam’s crab pasta had a little too much shell in it (although the flavours were awesome), and I’d have preferred the kid’s starter options to not be too deep-fried as they were a little rich as a result, but otherwise we couldn’t fault anything. 

All-in-all we had such a lovely meal, and it made a nice change to go somewhere different. It will definitely be on my go-to list when I’m in the area for a pre-theatre dinner, or a birthday treat out with friends, as it struck the difficult balance perfectly between being family friendly yet ‘nice’ enough for a grown up dinner. 

Top marks from Family Freeman!

So, how would you like to WIN a Meal for 4 (2 adults and 2 children) at a London branch of Rossopomodoro

All you have to do is fill out the Rafflecopter below using as many options as you’d like, it really is that easy! Please read the terms and conditions at the bottom of the post, for more information about the prize. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Terms and Conditions: Competition closes at 11.59pm GMT on Sunday 21st May 2017. Entries received after this time and date will not be valid. Giveaway open to UK residents only. Entrants must be 18 and over. Winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter after the closing date and will be notified within 5 days of competition end. Only entrants received via the Rafflecopter widget will be considered valid. The prize is as follows and must be taken by the 1st January 2018:  A Meal at a Rossopomoro Restaurant in a London branch for a family of 4, maximum 2 adults. All diners will receive a 3 course meal, including a bottle of wine for adults or a soft drink of choice, and soft drinks for children. The prize can be taken at either lunch or dinner. No cash alternatives to the stated prize will be offered.

Find more great giveaways at The Prize Finder.

 

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62 Comments

  1. Robert Parkinson
    April 18, 2017 / 5:07 pm

    Food looks lovely mmm

  2. Kim Neville
    April 18, 2017 / 5:27 pm

    Veal in a creamy mushroom sauce with saute potatoes and garlic broccoli

  3. Hali Kinson
    April 18, 2017 / 6:34 pm

    I love lasange

  4. lyn west
    April 18, 2017 / 8:34 pm

    Carbonara, always my favourite

  5. Diane Wood
    April 19, 2017 / 9:32 am

    I love pizza and pasta but don’t have a favourite, I prefer to try something new and interesting!

  6. Simon Tutthill
    April 19, 2017 / 9:15 pm

    A lovely carbonara always tickles my fancy

  7. Rosalind Sargent
    April 19, 2017 / 9:28 pm

    Lasagne is my favourite meal all together

  8. Michelle Chapman
    April 19, 2017 / 9:30 pm

    penne arrabatica – lovely

  9. chris bull
    April 19, 2017 / 9:32 pm

    Seafood linguine is a really big favourite of mine, the more types of seafood the better 🙂

  10. Ellie Jacobs
    April 19, 2017 / 10:33 pm

    A FAmiyEll Favourite HAS to be Tagliatelle Carbonara

  11. Farhana Chowdhury
    April 19, 2017 / 11:22 pm

    Lasagne

  12. Amanda
    April 20, 2017 / 6:26 am

    I love lasagne

  13. Sheena Batey
    April 20, 2017 / 9:58 am

    Carbonara is my Italian dish of choice I love it.

  14. Kelly Dudley
    April 20, 2017 / 10:03 am

    I love pizza. Authentic Italian AND doughy greasy delicious takeaway fare 😉

  15. Jen Rogers
    April 20, 2017 / 10:33 am

    Love Pizza

  16. Eleanor Beavan
    April 20, 2017 / 11:51 am

    Bucatini all’Amatriciana – it is absolutely delicious !

  17. Jen
    April 20, 2017 / 12:11 pm

    I love a calzone!

  18. Gemma Holland
    April 20, 2017 / 3:52 pm

    I love prawn linguine

  19. Kelly Hirst
    April 20, 2017 / 11:49 pm

    Looks lovely! My favourite Italian dish is definitely spaghetti bolognese

  20. LINDSEY CLARK
    April 21, 2017 / 6:34 am

    My favourite Italian meal is Spaghetti al dente with Shrimp.

  21. Solange
    April 21, 2017 / 6:54 am

    Lasagne.

  22. Alison Barker
    April 21, 2017 / 3:44 pm

    Lasagne

  23. Harriet
    April 21, 2017 / 8:00 pm

    Ravioli

  24. LondonREC
    April 21, 2017 / 11:47 pm

    Spaghetti carbonara

  25. Sam R
    April 22, 2017 / 2:05 pm

    I love pasta bake x

  26. Chris Hall
    April 23, 2017 / 9:30 am

    Menu looks a great choose of tastes

  27. Rachael Simmons
    April 25, 2017 / 3:31 pm

    I’m a right sucker for Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli with butter sauce mmm

  28. Hayley Colburn
    April 27, 2017 / 12:45 am

    Its tough because I love Italian food, their pizza’s are amazing and I’m a big fan of linguini too

  29. Sarah
    April 27, 2017 / 3:47 pm

    Fresh pasta with prawns or seafood. And gelato, because dessert……

  30. Mark
    May 2, 2017 / 4:08 pm

    Crab linguine

  31. Char Keddy
    May 2, 2017 / 9:28 pm

    Freshly prepared pasta with a yummy pesto sauce. Best I ever had was in the Cinque Terra – to die for!

  32. Rich Tyler
    May 4, 2017 / 3:30 am

    Classic Spag Bowl 🙂

  33. Gerri Tennant
    May 8, 2017 / 7:00 pm

    Tortellini with a rich meaty sauce.

  34. Claire Reavy
    May 9, 2017 / 11:56 am

    I love risotto or a good gamberoni linguine!

  35. Kathryn Casbolt
    May 10, 2017 / 11:02 pm

    Pizza 🙂

  36. Lesley Renshaw
    May 12, 2017 / 10:41 am

    gnocchi, spinach and mozzarella

  37. Amy J
    May 13, 2017 / 10:36 am

    I love any type of pizza!

  38. Becky Duffy
    May 13, 2017 / 4:40 pm

    Lasagne is my favourite Italian dish – same for my partner and our daughter 🙂

  39. DonnaH
    May 14, 2017 / 8:35 pm

    I like an arrabiata – nice and spicy ?

  40. Hannah Lord
    May 15, 2017 / 9:54 pm

    I love seafood carbonara so delicious 🙂

  41. frances hopkins
    May 17, 2017 / 6:03 pm

    Lasagne

  42. Adrian Bold
    May 17, 2017 / 11:46 pm

    Pizza all the way. I love them!

  43. Carol Boffey
    May 19, 2017 / 9:27 am

    Lasagne

  44. Jordan Bentley
    May 19, 2017 / 1:48 pm

    It’s got to be Bruschetta!

  45. Sion Gibby
    May 19, 2017 / 1:56 pm

    Bucatini all’Amatriciana, bucatini coi funghi, bucatini alla Sorrentina. Beautiful – probably my most favourite meal in the world!!!

  46. adrian price
    May 20, 2017 / 11:09 am

    cant beat a good old fashioned lasagne

  47. Sheri Darby
    May 20, 2017 / 6:21 pm

    I adore a vegetable Lasagne

  48. donna l jones
    May 20, 2017 / 7:31 pm

    Lasagne is my favourite

  49. Gloria C
    May 20, 2017 / 8:20 pm

    Milanesina

  50. Josephine Devon-Lowe
    May 20, 2017 / 9:53 pm

    Chicken Cacciatore & Tiramisu

  51. Joanna S
    May 20, 2017 / 10:34 pm

    I love ravioli

  52. Teresa sheldon
    May 20, 2017 / 10:59 pm

    Spaghetti Carbonara

  53. Petra Hora
    May 20, 2017 / 11:26 pm

    lasagne

  54. Chris Fletcher
    May 21, 2017 / 8:23 am

    I love spaghetti alla vongole with a glass of white wine!

  55. Pauline Dring
    May 21, 2017 / 11:16 am

    My favourite Italian dish is Napoletana pizza

  56. Cerys John
    May 21, 2017 / 11:20 am

    Prawn linguini-yummy!

  57. EJ Dunn
    May 21, 2017 / 1:04 pm

    Carbonara 🙂

  58. Derek Wilson
    May 21, 2017 / 2:35 pm

    Vegetarian lasagne!

  59. Cathryn Crawshaw
    May 21, 2017 / 4:45 pm

    Pizza is our family fav

  60. Hannah Smith
    May 21, 2017 / 6:41 pm

    I love spaghetti carbonara – so simple but so tasty!

  61. Lynne Oconnor
    May 21, 2017 / 9:40 pm

    Lasagne

  62. ellie spider
    May 21, 2017 / 11:56 pm

    I really love the deep fried rice balls (whose name I cant remember but they are tear drop shaped and are rice and meat in bread crumbs) I also love lasagne but unfortunately it doesnt love me back 🙁

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