Fat Angelo's is an Italian restaurant just off the escalator. This double-fronted restaurant is well-signed and well-lit; I don’t think you’ll miss it. Internally, it has all the makings of a typical American diner, but the emphasis of the food is classically Italian.
To the right of the entrance was a long bar with a number of high stools and comfortable easy chairs behind then – the whole area was reminiscent of a '60s coffee house and had a comfortable, classy feel. The main dining room, an L-shaped affair, is to the left, and we were chaperoned to our table by the beaming receptionist. The place was packed, and so I was relieved that we’d booked. Piped rat-pack jazz music was playing, and the walls were covered with framed photographs of the singers and other Hollywood screen icons of the era. There was a great ambience to this place – the lighting being not too bright and the tables so arranged so that it gave an air of hushed conspiracy as diners huddled towards each other in animated conversation.
The tablecloths, however, were a bit naff, being brightly checked plastic. It meant that the tables could be quickly wiped down (probably just as well, because without too much effort, I can be a fairly messy eater), but they do lack style. Indeed, the space on the table was a bit restricted, and I was often in danger of knocking crockery off the end.
We ordered a bottle of Montepulcina, a perfectly adequate well-priced red wine and a good compliment to our chosen Italian dishes of lasagne and a chicken scaplopi. These two dishes were shared amongst the four of us, but these tasty portions weren’t large, and we were left feeling a bit peckish at the end. So the right thing to do was to reconsult the menu and order another main course. This time we opted for Grandma’s famous meatballs, and after a significant wait (an indication that these were being freshly prepared), a large plate loaded with meatballs drowning in a thick translucent sauce was delivered to our table. Now we were struggling, as this helping was huge, and the meatballs were strong on the spices and garlic but exceptionally tasty. My son and I tucked into the plate load whilst our partners watched at gluttony in the making. As a final show, we used the bread, which comes as standard with each dish, to mop up the sauce.
Service at Fat Angelo's was exceptionally efficient. The staff did not hover around the table but were never far away if you need assistance. They replenished our jug of water whenever necessary and manoeuvred items round the small table with amazing dexterity. They were bright, cheerful, and responsive and were able to give the all-important message that they were looking after our dining needs above all others.
So if you need a change from "Chinese", try Fat Angelo's!