Arancina

bellaphon

Italian fast food mecca 10th September 2008

2 found this helpful

The lure of that sawn up orange Cinquecento is a great marketing exercise.

I don’t normally care much for pizzas in this country but at Arancina the Paletta (to all intents and purposes; by the slice) portion of parmacotto ham and mushrooms was outstanding. It tasted fresh, utterly Italian and the total absence of the dreaded stodgy thick crust. This portion was more than enough for lunch, but if you can fit it in and not be too conscious of the Atkins Diet the delicious arancinas (Sicilian rice balls) belong to the dangerous ‘bingeing’ category.

I included fast food as one of the things I love when I played the TasteMatcher, Arancina upholds the inclusion without fail. Bravo.

Niamheen at 15/10/08

Lol, what is it with Italian fast food places and sawn up cars? Italia Mania has a sawn up Fiat 500.

I adore arancini. I must check this place out. Thanks!

bellaphon at 15/10/08

arancini, I'm thus plurally challenged. Don't forget to try out the diet bashing deep fried calzone.

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shopaholcleo

must come back 1st September 2008

0 found this helpful

While wandering around Notting Hill with an empty stomach, I noticed this bright and inviting deli, and after seeing it had been reviewed already, I thought I may as well try it. I was pleasantly surpised, the pizzas were not too expensive and they had some nice looking pasta dishes as well. I ordered a mini calzone thing to take away, not bad for £2.50, would've liked a bit more filling, but it was nice to eat anyway. Will definitely try to come back before my next visit to Portobello market, to try some more of their dishes, as the reviews look good.

theonlyone

30th August 2008

0 found this helpful

Well, I come from Italy and I've tried several pizzas across the UK in the last years. This is definitly the best one. I've always took it "take away" and it was also cheap, don't know if you'll eat in, anyway really good pizza, don't miss it!

totti

cool... 1st December 2007

0 found this helpful

first: ARANCINA isn't in holland park but in NOTTIG HILL...
hellooooooooooo...Notting hill....
on the map of the web site there is even a mistake...it is in 19,pembridge road!!!
hellooooooooooo...Pembridge road...
by the way, i've seen the other reviews of this place and there is only one thing that i can add to all the others...as an italian as i am, i really feel at home when i'm there, as if my mother is cooking for me...an that is not easy...
helloooooooooo...my mother........

and just to inform everybody, arancina opened another shop in westbourne grove(bayswater), different but similar...check this out as well....
helloooooooooo...CHECK IT OUT!!!!!!

Roya

29th June 2007

2 found this helpful

If you pass in front of this place you can't help but be drawn inside. The quirkiness of the window display and the smell of the food are too inviting.

The international staff will make sure you get value for money (often throwing in a few extras, if they aren't too busy).

If the crowds of Portobello are proving too much, head here. It's sure to perk you up and bring a smile to your face.

Mez

Don't cry for me Arancina 28th March 2007

1 found this helpful

Ok ok.. bad title.. although this place really does bring a smile to my face.. not convinced.. ok.. well it always feel sunny inside. It's bright, lively, friendly, funky (especially when the guitarist's around). The staff are really nice too and dish out pretty good pizza (although, don't let it get cold cos it's really not that nice when it's soggy).

If you have time, go upstairs to their mini sitting room for a coffee. It's very relaxed and has quite a student feel to it. Pleasant views, small tables and if you're quick, a sofa a deux..

You can find it in Notting Hill, 2 minutes from the station and on the way to Portobello market.

valtaylor

15th October 2006

2 found this helpful

Ok. this place has such a great vibe and the food is delicious easy Italian, and really great prices. Regular entertainers are in the window alongside the Orange mini Fiat...guys have a great sense of humour and it's often hard to even get in the door.

alevy

Awesome 11th October 2006

4 found this helpful

If it's not clear from my reviews, I'm a snob. Or, as my friend Manolo would say, I'm an eh-f@#%$ing snobbish guy.

Among the many things I'm snobbish about is pizza.

(a) I consider myself a connaisseur
(b) I grew up in the New York area
(c) I'd rather eat no pizza than bad pizza... that's just how I roll

So I was walking down the street in Notting Hill and I saw this place selling pizza slices. Normally, I just walk by and snicker -- this is London, slice pizza here is for tourists and other people who don't know better, right? My experience tells me that most places in this town have some evil recipe for pizza that goes something like cardboard+ketchup+cheese.

But lined up on wooden planks in the front window were these beautiful pizzas that looked every bit like they were flown in from Napoli this morning.

I was intrigued.

So I go in and have a look at the different varieties, take a slice of fresh tomato, buffalo mozzarella, and fresh basil, and head back up the road to where I'm staying.

Only problem is, I'm so intrigued that I'm not prepared to wait until I get home to try it.

I took a bite as I stepped on to Portobello Road.

By the time I crossed Westbourne Grove, it was gone.

If there's a better place for slice pizza in London, I'm not aware of it. Arancina is so good, it's worth making a special trip for.

walid

Sicilian Pizza 11th October 2006

3 found this helpful

Where to start with this place.. first of all you're greeted by the iconic Fiat 500 in an orange color most likely to trigger the thought of a small Arancina (An arancina is made with rice, vegetables, meat or cheese). As you enter the restaurant/take away shop you are greeted during the weekeends by a guitarist and even at times a singer, all that as you patiently queue up to get a slice of gorgeous pizza. As queue you shall for this place is popular, but the wait is well worth it. Except from the dark corner shops along Oxford street or the Pizza Hut in Leicester Square that sell you awful pizza slizes to take away, Arancina is a giant leap forward towards tasting authentic pizzas. Strongly recommend it if you're in the Notting Hill / Puerto Bello area during the week or weekend as you will be greated with warm Sicilian smiles and if you're lucky with some live music. What else you could ask for???