(1) I have to disagree with Misternomer (review below) who, although he "approves" Bar Italia and speaks highly of the food, is insultingly disparaging about many of its most appealing aspects. I have been frequenting this place since a colleague first sung its praises over 2 years ago and it cannot be faulted. Firstly, Camden Road is not "down-at-heel", but unassumingly trendy and full of good shops. (I have personally had a phone unlocked in one of the shops Misternomer refers to and I have never stolen anything in my life). "Kitsch Italia" it may be, but the paintings are beautiful, colourful representations of a beautiful and colourful country, painted by a local Italian teacher. The music is admittedly unique at times, but it's authentic, which is more than can be said for most of the other comparatively mediocre Italian restaurants in Tunbridge Wells. The staff are delightful - friendly, quirky, charming, attentive and cosmopolitan, and Filippo himself is always very pleased to see you. Not a "laughable casanova" in sight, as Misternomer offensively suggests. The warm welcome, inviting atmosphere and buzz of excitement alone are enough to make the "dining experience" thoroughly enjoyable (a far cry from "so thoroughly bad that it's funny"). And then you taste the food. It is divine. Filippo's food rivals that of many places I have been to even on Italian soil, and it is without doubt the best Italian food in Tunbridge Wells. If you think a pizza is a pizza is a pizza, you should try one of these. These chefs make even a plain old Margharita or Cipolla taste exciting. My favourite is the Siciliano but (even as a non-meateater) the parma ham one always looks amazing. Last time I had a Pizza della Casa which was loaded with tiger prawns, shell-on mussels and asparagus and tasted wonderful. The risottos melt in your mouth and all the pasta dishes I have tried are so good you have to close your eyes when you taste them so that you can truly savour the flavour. Their Bruschetta is like no other Bruschetta I have ever had - loaded with fresh juicy tomatoes, garlic and basil. (Be warned though - you will smell of garlic until at least the next morning!) If you are still hungry (which is unlikely) or have a particularly sweet tooth, try the Hot Chocolate Pizza... and let me know what it's like because I have never had the guts! (For the record, I have never had food "served on a paper napkin" here, and the cutlery is normal). To compare this place with Zizzi's or Pizza Express is an insult, but if you're a "disgusted of Tunbridge Wells", like Misternomer, or too posh to enjoy an authentic, down-to-earth, good value Italian restaurant... with heavenly food, try Signor Franco's. PoH

(2) Situated at the bottom of the down-at-heel Camden Road area of Tunbridge Wells at the junction with Quarry Road, sandwiched between tatty shops, some abandoned, and others offering to unlock [stolen] phones Some would call it Kitsch Italiana. I'd say it's possibly one of the worst decorated places in town. Fillipo's is to the high class dining experience as Hai Karate is to Eau du Parfum. No points are scored for the selection of of music which seems to feature chipmunks singing in italian. It's like nails on a blackboard - in stereo. The odd thing about Fillipo's is that the dining experience is so thoroughly bad - that it's funny. Once you see past this fact you begin to understand that they expense that's been spared on the decor has been spent on the food instead. The open kitchen plan reveals that all the chefs are heavy-set italians who seem to enjoy what they do.

We were attended to by a laughably casanova like waiter who charmed us both and had the curious ability to instill in us a sense that we'd stop laughing when we tasted the food. In as far as I wasn't imagining this - he was right. This is by far the cheapest Italian in T/Wells (certainly compared to the outrageous "Sicilian" over the road), but the food was genuinely without fault, served quickly, on paper napkins and eaten with horrid cutlery. My wife lived in Italy for a couple of years and we both were impressed, and have continued to be without exception on each of the many occasions we have returned. Next time you're thinking about going to Pizza Express or Zizzi's, maybe try Fillipo's for a bit of fun in an place that doesn't take itself too seriously. The Mare e Monti is tops and the pasta dishes are as good as anything you'd get elsewhere, not to mention being a lot more varied. If you're in any doubt as to the varacity of my claim then stop by for take-away pizza, which is the best in town. Bar None. I don't wan't this place to 'get better' It's cheap enough to be treated as a second kitchen when I'm too tired to cook. The same odball staff are always there to greet us and the food is ....almost something to write home about. Remember to bring ear plugs! misternomer