L'Artista 

After eating here i was left feeling cheated, ripped-off and still hungry.

After reading reviews of L'Artista in Letchworth posted on internet sites such as this one, i looked forward to eating somewhere where the portions were large, the service friendly, and the food good quality.

I took the advice of other reviews and went on a weekday night. Perhaps it was because it was so close to Christmas, but the restaurant was crowded and noisy. Just trying to talk with the person sat opposite me was like being in a pub, when we had to shout at each other in order to be hard.

I had gone with colleagues from work for our Christmas meal. Along with them I had chosen one of the Christmas menus. I am vegetarian and it seemed to make a difference. After what seemed an interminable wait a very small starter of a few mushrooms in a very acidic tomato sauce was hardly an appetiser. Then after what seemed another interminable wait came a dish of filled pasta, the number of which i could had counted on the fingers of my two hands, in a weak tomato sauce. Then after another interminable wait the dessert arrived, an ice cream. Then yet another lengthy wait until the coffee in a small cup.

Was it me? Is it because i am vegetarian? A colleague had also ordered the vegetarian option from the menu, and her comment was that she could buy a packet of filled pasta from the corner shop at home which would have contained more pasta and cost £1.99 instead of the £16.95 the Christmas menu cost. My colleagues who had ordered meat received a roast dinner and a side plate of vegetables. The portions were mean, and the wait between each course was unacceptable. I know the restaurant was busy; but more waiting staff should have been hired. A couple of the waiting staff were surly and i suspect that was because they were rushed off their feet.

Even the beer was disappointing. I'm not a fan of Italian beers, which i was told was all that was available, and even they were served in 300ml bottles or a half pint glass.

All in all a disappointing visit to this restaurant. The compulsory service charge of £1.90 per person which was added to the bill was the final straw for me. It was undeserved and gave me no opportunity to express my dissatisfaction.

I don't know whether it was because the Christmas menu is a rip-off. Perhaps if you go to L'Artista you simply shouldn't order from a set menu. My colleagues commented as much.

The garlic bread was nice: it's a shame that the best dish from the evening was the complimentary one....