Verdi

Perfect Pre-Show Dinners with Stellar Service

Allow me to whisk you away on a recent escapade to Verdi Italian Kitchen, nestled alluringly in the heart of the Royal Albert Hall. It immediately strikes you as the perennial choice for cultured palates just before an elegant evening performance, and while not without its foibles, it manages, mostly, to hit the right notes. To begin with, Verdi's starters sing quite a melodious tune—be sure to sample their cauliflower soup or prawns—as outstanding preludes to whatever main act your evening holds. The service is refreshingly sprightly and amiable; one would almost suspect that the staff are seasoned pace-setters for the events-to-come, skillfully balancing efficiency without hasty abandon.

However, like a composer struggling to reach a crescendo, Verdi might still be looking for a few missing notes here and there. Some pasta dishes suffer whims of inconsistent textures, clumsily crashing from al dente perfections to chewy blunders overnight. The layout—bereft of personal space—might leave you tangled in eavesdropping mumbles as people jostle around during those peak pre-show moments, but that seems perhaps an incidental ‘concertant’ experience? Yet, every quibble becomes trivial when a tiramisu conquered without rival amends with guile. Admittedly pricey, Verdi orchestrates culinary flair more often than not, befittingly catering to the symphonic expectations of Royal Albert's gathering thespian voyages. Verdict: perfect for an artsy evening, just don't expect an aria of experimentation. — Milo Tastemaker