To enter or not to enter? That was the question that I asked myself around 15 years ago when I stood face-to-face with L'artista, which at that point in time was a new restaurant on the scene in Watford. Located at 61 The Parade, High Street, Watford, L'artista is an Italian restaurant that is open 7 days a week from 12.00pm until 11.30pm. Upon having my first meal at L'artista, I realised that I had another more important question to consider which was; when would I next be returning? It turns out I returned at least half a dozen times each year and here we are now in 2018 and I am excited to have the opportunity to tell you about this long-standing, very lively and successful eatery. Little Italy in Watford, here it is.
A vibrant, fun and lively place to celebrate any event
The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating arrangements. Indoors the seating consists of marble tables and wooden chairs in various arrangements. Some of the tables are rectangular whereas others are circular. With different shaped tables, the restaurant can really cram in lots of seats which is brilliant as its so popular. The outdoor seating is steel tables and chairs and is a pleasant area to enjoy if it’s warm and you want to embrace some gorgeous food and the sunshine at the same time. Within the restaurant, there are two cooking areas: there is a closed kitchen where several dishes are made and an open-area where you can see the pizza chef cheerfully rustling up orders at full speed.
The restaurant has been known to be a venue of choice over the years for celebrations such as birthdays, christenings and other special family get-togethers. This is due to the long-standing and extremely friendly employees that work at L'artista that are eager to make sure that your event is memorable. You will especially find that music, cheers and positive commotion will feature if you’re celebrating your birthday here. This is because the staff will parade around you, sing happy birthday and make a lot of joyous noise to add to the celebrations!
Hearty, filling and bursting with so much flavour
The menu at L'artista is separated into cold starters, hot starters, pasta, pizza, main dishes and sides. From the cold starters, it is recommended that you try the insalata tricolore which is mozzarella, tomatoes and avocado (for 5.70 GBP/ 8 USD). Whilst it sounds simple and is only three ingredients, the freshness and combination of the ingredients make a heavenly creamy mix to be enjoyed. The bruschetta classica which is chopped tomatoes, basil and garlic on a toasted bread (for 4.20 GBP/ 6 USD) is also recommended. From the hot starters the garlic pizza bread with tomatoes (for 3.60 GBP/ 5 USD) is absolutely and utterly delicious and especially when accompanied with some chilli oil.
There are over 20 pasta dishes on the menu which include spaghetti, tagliatelle, linguine, penne, rigatoni, risotto, lasagne and ravioli. All pasta dishes served up here are hearty, filling and bursting with flavour. Recommended dishes include the tagliatelle ai broccoli (for 9.30 GBP/ 13 USD) which is pasta with broccoli, garlic, olive oil and a touch of chilli, the vegetarian risotto (for 9.40 GBP/ 13 USD) is also worth a try. The dish featured in the photograph is the ravioli alla fiorentina (9.90 GBP/ 14 USD) which is ravioli filled with spinach and ricotta and served with a sauce of the same ingredients. It’s the most delicious and flavoursome ravioli dish known to mankind and every time I order it, I am left feeling an abundance of joy. As you can tell, this is one dish that I have to recommend you order.
Pizza that never fails to deliver
No Italian restaurant would be successful without incredible pizzas and my oh my, the piping hot pizzas served up at L'artista are one in a million. Crispy base, perfectly seasoned tomato sauce and creamy melted cheese; L'artista always makes the perfect pizzas. Whether you want a simple margarita (for 7.50 GBP/ 10 USD) or a pizza loaded with various toppings, it never fails to deliver. Cooking up pizza perfection, L'artista works hard at sourcing the freshest ingredients, dough made in-house and treating each order with the utmost care and love. Recommended pizzas include the florentina which is tomato, mozzarella, spinach and egg (for 9.90 GBP/ 14 USD) and the bufalina (for 10.50 GBP/ 14 USD) which is made with different types of tomato and mozzarella.
L'artista also offers some other Italian inspired main dishes which are made of meat and fish and range from 9.90 GBP - 20.50 GBP (14 USD - 28 USD). Side orders listed on the menu are hearty and healthy spinach (2.90 GBP/ 4 USD), crispy deep fried zucchini (2.90 GBP/ 4 USD), tasty sauté potatoes (2.90 GBP/ 4 USD) and a rocket salad (4.30 GBP/ 6 USD). All of the side dishes mentioned are enjoyable. However, you should note that the portion sizes for the side dishes are generous, so you’re best off sharing one between at least two persons (if you are to also order a main meal).
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If you're in or around Watford, go here!
L'artista’s website states that many of its customers return months after months and years after years and I can attest that this is so very true. This charming and vibrant pizzeria has found a place in the heart of the local community and those around its vicinity. If you’re visiting the Intu Watford Shopping Centre, Watford Palace Theatre, Watford Colosseum or the Watford Football Stadium, you have to pop in for lunch or dinner at L'artista. Whether you visit with a party that includes a 4 year old and/or an 84 year old, I can guarantee you that you and your entire party will have a blast. The food is out of this world and the desserts, well, let’s just say they’re so scrumptious that you would wish to have room for two!
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