4 /5 Ms Critic: I visited Sebastian’s Italian for Valentine’s Day and was initially hesitant, as it is often difficult to find truly good Italian food outside of Italy. After reading the Google reviews, I felt cautiously hopeful. They exceeded my expectations.
The customer service, which many people mention, was exceptional. I am usually quick to request removal of the service charge if the service is poor, but that was not the case here. Although our initial order was taken incorrectly, the team handled it well. Our waiter was attentive, helpful and accommodating throughout, and they kindly allowed us to move seats without hesitation.
For starters, we had the Melanzana alla Parmigiana. It was rich and full of flavour. The tomato sauce was outstanding. My only suggestion would be to serve it with two slices of bread instead of one, as the sauce deserves it.
For mains, I had the Pappardelle al Ragu di Anatra. The portion was generous with plenty of duck, and the flavour was excellent. The only reason I settled on four stars instead of five is that the pasta could have been slightly more al dente.
We also ordered the Controfiletto di Manzo al Pepe Verde. The steak was exceptional. It was fresh, high quality and genuinely melted in the mouth. The only downside was that there was not quite enough peppercorn sauce to complement it fully.
Everything arrived hot and fresh, which made a noticeable difference.
The highlight of the evening was the Torta alle Mele e Cannella. The apple and cinnamon cake with ice cream was outstanding. It is the kind of dessert you immediately want again. We also had the Red Velvet Tiramisu ai Frutti di Bosco. The strawberries, blueberries and raspberries were fresh and vibrant, although I would have liked a slightly larger red velvet layer.
Overall, I would return to Sebastian’s without hesitation and highly recommend it. The ambience is beautiful and well suited to a special occasion. If you are dining as a couple, I would suggest requesting a table further towards the back of the restaurant for a more intimate setting.
