Nigel Slater talks to Spy!


The UK's top writer on food, as voted by readers of Restaurant Spy, talks exclusively to Spy! Click here for details.

Related Search

Channel 4 are looking for Spy readers in the Aberdeen, Luton and Bedfordshire areas who might want to take part in their popular show, "Come Dine With Me". Click here for details.

User login


Optomen, producers of "Kitchen Nightmares" want to hear from Spy readers about places you think may be in need of some help. Click here for details.


Five Reasons Wine are proud to announce a new wine bar across from Tunbridge Wells Station entitled "Taste". Choose from a remarkable range of quality wines and pay a simple £5 corkage per bottle. Listen to why Taste is "the" current happening place to go in The Wells .

Primary links

Restaurant Spy

Il Palio, 8 Maiden Lane Centre, Kilnsea Drive, Lower Earley, Reading, Berks, RG6 3HD

Submitted by m on Thu, 09/03/2006 - 12:18.

8 Maiden Lane Centre, Kilnsea Drive, Lower Earley, Reading, Berks, RG6 3HD

0118 926 1900

The décor is very subtle but evokes the warmth and familiarity of a small Italian restaurant in one of the better quarters of Milan or Florence. The masks on the wall by the kitchen and the prints add a touch of class and ‘Il Carnivale’. The staff are friendly and efficient, with the manager in particular having a very easy way with all the clientele. The menu has recently changed and includes more fish dishes. There is a very good selection of pastas which can be had either as a starter or main course, and a tempting selection of steaks and veal dishes. The pizza are large, filling and ‘top heavy’. The cooks certainly do not skimp on the ingredients. The quality of these can only be likened to those found in the non-tourist pizzeria of Italy and Istria. It may be better to order one between two unless you have a big appetite! My only complaint about the food would be that the exceedingly good insalata de la mama (artichoke hearts, peppers and parmesan shavings on a bed of crisp leaves) is no longer on the menu. However the side dishes are tasty and compliment the meats and fish very well. The wine list is not exhaustive and has a fine selection of both reds and whites that range across the spectrums of taste, body and price. The dessert menu has not changed and includes such favourites as tiramisu, sorbets and ice-creams, and crème brulee. A good range of liqueurs and spirits are stocked to finish your meal with a select range of the better whiskeys.

As well as sit-down dining, the restaurant also has a thriving takeaway business offering all the pasta and pizza from the main menu. Orders can be either given in person, or more conveniently phoned thru for collection. This restaurant is very good value for money with a good 2 course meal with wine and coffee or liqueur coming to around £25 a head. All-in-all a very pleasant place to enjoy a very satisfying meal in affordable style. The Gourmet Stomach

Search the Site

Alternative search includes archived reviews here

UKinsuranceNET

Restaurant insurance specialists. For more details visit the UKinsuranceNET website.

Latest News

3rd September 2008 - British chefs scoop London awards
British chefs and restaurants have gained the top awards at the 10th London Restaurant Awards. more...

30th July 2008 - Restaurant tipping law to change
Employers are to be banned from using tips and service charges to 'top up' staff pay to meet the minimum wage, under government plans. more...

29th July 2008 - Buxhall Crown owner dies
more...

8th July 2008 - TV chefs 'fail on basic hygiene'
TV chefs are setting a bad example by failing to following basic hygiene standards, public health chiefs say. more...

27th June 2008 - TV chef loses Tesco chicken vote
Tesco shareholders have not backed proposals to improve welfare standards for chickens championed by TV cook Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. more...

Lots more in our Food News Archive.

Recent comments

Gatwick Parking


Reliable and courteous parking service for visitors to London Gatwick airport.

Directory - search by area or type

Click on any of the following categories to see reviews by area, rating or type.
Country/Region
Americas - Canada, Greenland, USA
Asia/Australasia - Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, The Maldives
Europe - Austria, Belgium, Eire, France, Iceland, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland
Other world region
UK, England - Beds, Berks, Birmingham, Bucks, Cheshire, Cornwall, Cumbria, Derbyshire, Devon, Dorset, East Sussex, Essex, Glos, Hants, Herts, Humberside, Kent, Lancs, Leic, Lincoln, London, Manchester, Middlesex, Norfolk, Notts, Oxon, Shrop, Somerset, Suffolk, Surrey, Warwickshire, West Sussex, Wilts, Worcs, Yorks, Scotland, Wales
Cuisine - African/Afro-Caribbean, British - Modern, Traditional, Cafe, Chinese, French, Indian, Italian, Meditteranean, Mexican/North American, Other Asian, Other European, Pub, Takeaway
Special type - Ambience, Disabled Access, Families, Large Groups, Romantic, Service, Views
Spy rating - Approved, OK, Rejected

Rose Prince talks to Spy!

Rose, author of the Savvy Shopper and the New English Kitchen, talks exclusively to Spy. Click here.

Poll

Wired for Sound

Listen to our growing body of interviews with chefs, chocolatiers and food and drink specialists in our Wired for Sound section.

Award winning restaurants

World's Top Restaurants 2006

London's Michelin Starred Restaurants 2006

Book Reviews

”Cooking” by Tom Aikens
”Fast Food Nation” by Eric Schlosser
”211 Things a Bright Boy Can Do” by Tom Cutler
”Kitchen Con” by Trevor White

Disclaimer

Restaurant Spy disclaimer