5 /5 Giarcann: I visited Osteria Due Amici in Upminster with fairly neutral expectations. I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect—especially from a menu that stretches far beyond traditional Italian cooking. But from the moment I walked in to the moment I left, the experience genuinely surprised me in the best way. It’s one of those places that quietly exceeds the neutral assumptions you walk in with.
Atmosphere
The moment I walked in, the space felt welcoming and warm. The seating was comfortable without feeling cramped, and everything around me looked spotless. Even the glasses had that fresh shine that instantly tells you someone pays attention to details.
Service
The service was genuinely faultless. Staff were friendly without being intrusive and seemed to appear exactly when needed—whether we were finished with plates, ready for more drinks, or asking to have food packed. It felt attentive in a natural, unforced way.
Food
I’ll admit, I had my doubts at first. The menu covers such a broad range of cuisines for an Italian restaurant—from katsu curry to beef wellington—that I expected the experience to be unfocused. Usually when a place tries to please everyone, the quality ends up suffering. But I was pleasantly surprised.
We started with the shared board, offering a mix of Italian favourites: Calamari, Arancini, Focaccia, and a range of meats. The quality was impressive across the board, especially the meats, which were full of flavour and felt worth the price alone. The Asian-inspired crispy beef felt like a strange addition on paper, but it turned out to be one of the standout items—tender, packed with flavour, and executed perfectly.
The parmesan chicken with linguine had great depth. The chicken stayed juicy, and the subtle chilli running through the pasta added a warm background kick that balanced the dish nicely.
The Toma pork was another strong dish. Juicy and well-cooked, paired with smooth mash and apple sauce. What really tied the whole thing together was the red wine jus, which brought the flavours together beautifully.
Portion sizes were generous for every dish—especially the sharing platter, which could easily feed four—and the quality remained consistently high throughout.
Facilities
The restroom is often the tell-tale sign of how a restaurant runs behind the scenes. Again, no complaints. It was clean and well maintained. The restaurant was quiet when we visited, but even so, the general cleanliness was reassuring.
Overall Price
Our total came to ÂŁ87. Considering the generous portions and consistent quality, it felt more than fair and absolutely worth the cost.
I would highly recommend Osteria Due Amici, and I can say with certainty I will be back again.