Pronounced ‘loo-lee-voh’, L’ulivo is a passionately Italian restaurant known for simple and authentic cooking, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere. One of the reasons L’ulivo has been a popular spot for Londoners and tourists for more than 15 years, is the kitchen’s dedication to using the freshest ingredients available. You’ll find it a few seconds walk away from Leicester Square, just around the corner from he National Portrait Gallery.
Just as you would stock a home kitchen, L’ulivo buys produce as locally as possible with deliveries of fresh ingredients selected by hand at the market each morning. On the L’ulivo menu, you’ll also find seasonal specials, each of them inspired by the ingredients available, the personal inclinations of the chefs, and the travels and experiences of the team.
Like all the best Italian restaurants, the L’ulivo menu starts off with a selection of antipasti. Think bruschetta pomodoro, fried calamari, tricolore salad, and an antipasto misto plate of Italian charcuterie, cheese and homemade bread. There are several pasta dishes to choose from, including signature dishes of farfalle with prawn and saffron, tagliatelle with smoked salmon and garlic, and penne with chicken and sundried tomatoes in a light sauce. Alongside traditional plates of risotto, meat and fish, guests can also expect a generous selection of large pizzas. And, if you fancy something a little lighter there’s a fine selection of salads too.
Alternatively, if you’re struggling to make a choice, L’ulivo also offers a three-course set menu offering some of the favourite dishes in the house. Set menu starters include baked goat cheese with honey, smoked salmon, and a beetroot burrata salad while mains offer asparagus risotto, pan-fried duck with orange sauce, and British lamb cutlets served with a red wine sauce. As for the desserts, the menu offers a classic panna cotta or a traditional tiramisu.