Ooze Risotto Bar

As a risotto enthusiast I've been eager to visit Ooze, and my opportunity arrived last week. After some momentary confusion with the doors which saw me yanking at the wrong one like an idiot (tip: it's the one on the right) we were given a warm welcome by the staff. Inside the decor is clean, bright and somewhat clinical. Our waiter was good enough to bring me a sample of the house white which, at 12.95 a bottle, my friend and I deemed to be an acceptable alternative to our usual Pinot Grigio.

Onwards to the food. Following a thimbleful of olives (not free), we started with mixed Bruschetta; an eclectic mix of fennel and olive, tomato salsa, and fig and marscapone. I wasn't too sure about that last one, but the others were very tasty. For the main course I ordered a classic risotto with clams while Tom ordered the day's special risotto with peas and speck and a shaving of parmesan. Now, much has been made in previous reviews about the texture of Ooze's risotto - and rightly so - so my pennyworth is that I found the texture to be pretty good. The rice had just the right amount of bite and the consistency was moist enough to be refreshing without being too runny. I would have liked a few more clams with mine though, while Tom said that his was a little heavy on the peas.

Lastly, dessert. Avoid them. Tom's baked Alaska was 90% egg white while my apple pie sported undercooked apple and watery custard.

All in all, we had a good meal but were glad of the 50% discount on food that my Trusted Places reward card gave me. Certainly I would happily return there for the 5.95 lunchtime special that 'ecuse' mentions below, but I prefer somewhere a little cosier in the evening.