Ark Restaurant
Italian


122 Palace Gardens Terrace, Tube: Notting Hill, Notting Hill, W8 4RT

The Ark Restaurant is something of a London treasure. Tucked away off Notting Hill Gate, it occupies an unassuming building that played host in the 60s and 70s to Prince Charles and Ingrid Bergman; and more recently Keira Knightly and Madonna have visited to enjoy Ark's exquisite Italian menu. Part leafy terrace dotted with fairy lights, part clean white wood, this charming eatery tempts passers-by with a promise of cosy, delicious dining - and the Ark doesn't disappoint.
The restaurant is divided into three areas; the welcoming terrace with its tiny tables leads into a romantically lit bar area. Last, there is a candlelit dining area with a mirror that gives the impression the room curves round to infinity. The menu offers a ravishing range of Italian flavours. Louise Mayo, owner for ten years, has arranged for all breads, ice creams and sorbets to be made in-house by chef Daniele Ceforo. The à la carte menu follows the traditional four 'piattis' (or plates), and there is a set menu on offer too. The seasonal truffle menu is simply unmissable; generous, reasonably priced and mouth watering. We sampled the fontina fondue with white truffle - it was smoky and superb, perfectly offset by a crisp glass of white chosen from the exclusively Italian wine list. From the antipasti selection I chose scallops, which positively zinged with freshness and bite, and my partner tucked into prawns that arrived in their shells, delicately marinated in lime. Guided by the waiters, I chose a secondi piatti of tender monkfish in salty Parma ham, while my guest opted for the fillet of Galloway steak, which oozed its red juices deliciously. To finish we enjoyed a selection of freshly made sorbets, which punched our palates with flavour.
Gazing around the dusky candlelit tables, I fell for the Ark. It has undergone enough transformations in its 50-year history to be as loveable as an old friend yet as exciting as a new love. To keep this hidden treasure quiet is not in keeping with its welcoming spirit - so take your friends and visit soon.
The restaurant is divided into three areas; the welcoming terrace with its tiny tables leads into a romantically lit bar area. Last, there is a candlelit dining area with a mirror that gives the impression the room curves round to infinity. The menu offers a ravishing range of Italian flavours. Louise Mayo, owner for ten years, has arranged for all breads, ice creams and sorbets to be made in-house by chef Daniele Ceforo. The à la carte menu follows the traditional four 'piattis' (or plates), and there is a set menu on offer too. The seasonal truffle menu is simply unmissable; generous, reasonably priced and mouth watering. We sampled the fontina fondue with white truffle - it was smoky and superb, perfectly offset by a crisp glass of white chosen from the exclusively Italian wine list. From the antipasti selection I chose scallops, which positively zinged with freshness and bite, and my partner tucked into prawns that arrived in their shells, delicately marinated in lime. Guided by the waiters, I chose a secondi piatti of tender monkfish in salty Parma ham, while my guest opted for the fillet of Galloway steak, which oozed its red juices deliciously. To finish we enjoyed a selection of freshly made sorbets, which punched our palates with flavour.
Gazing around the dusky candlelit tables, I fell for the Ark. It has undergone enough transformations in its 50-year history to be as loveable as an old friend yet as exciting as a new love. To keep this hidden treasure quiet is not in keeping with its welcoming spirit - so take your friends and visit soon.
Open: Mon 6.30pm-11pm (last orders); Tues-Sat noon-3pm, 6.30pm-11pm (last orders)