Vieni
GLIMMERS OF PROMISE
25 years ago, the Jewellery Quarter was a dining wasteland, with just the notable exceptions of the Bucklemaker and the morphing Restaurant Gilmore, La Toque D’Or and Two Cats, at the site of current long-standing incumbent, The Wilderness.
It’s now got genuine claims to be known equally as a food quarter… from the A-game ‘street food’ offerings at St. Paul’s Marketplace and Indian Brewery to a Michelin star and two wannabe stars, and a burgeoning list of decent ‘casual dining’ spots in between.
Vieni dining room (from the bar!)
Under the ‘Tutto Apposto’ moniker, chef/owner Angelina Adamo has established her reputation as a private chef and Vieni seems like the natural next step. Inspired by the colours, vibrancy and flavours of Sicily, it’s nestled into that next step of the Jewellery Quarter’s march towards its domination of the city’s upward culinary scene… the Goodsyard, with others primed to also take their place there this year.
Vieni menu
In terms of menu structure, it’s a standard Italian menu of antipasti, primi, secondi and contorni, although we’re encouraged—as it seems to be the way these days—to treat it all as sharing plates.
Salami + Provolone; Focaccia, Sicilian EVOO
To kick things off, we’ve got focaccia, that’s dense and spongey between Sicilian EVOO ‘crunchy-fried’ crusts. With that are two wedges of buttery-nutty Provolone dolce and slices of salami that are puzzlingly doorstep-thick, turning them into a pleasure-free chew.
Orkney Scallop Crudo, Grapes, Pine Nuts, Parsley
Where the thickness of the salami fails, the Orkney Scallop crudo leads the way, dissolving in the mouth with sweetness-intensified roasted grapes, soft caramelly crunch from toasted pine nuts and aromatics from herb-intensified EVOO… Sicilian, no doubt.
32 Hour Ox Cheek Crispy Lasagne
Four dishes land at once; the star being ‘crispy lasagne’ with sweet, melt-in-the-mouth 32-hour, low and slow ox cheek ragu. It sits under a seemingly suet-powered, meltingly brittle wafer and heavy dusting of Parmesan. It’s already a contender for the top ten dishes of 2026.
Fire roasted Carrots, Kale, Whipped Ricotta, Fennel Seed + Thyme Honey, Salted Pumpkin Seeds
I was drawn to the vegetarian main, with my imagination stoked about the Ottolenghi-esque pleasures this might hold… but against that benchmark it falls well short with fire roasted, al dente heritage carrots failed by their supporting cast of blanched kale and barely-whipped ricotta and any fennel or thyme honey drizzle is lost.
Barbecued, buttery baby potatoes in a sweet and tart caponata are superb, but a conical arancino filled with mozzarella is gummy and bland, although it’s probably not helped with us eating it last of the four dishes.
Sugu + Arrancini
We finish with one dessert and two spoons, although it’s another failed mission in my quest for the perfect tiramisu; whilst it’s whipped to perfection, it’s far too kindergarten friendly, bar a blanket of cocoa powder.
Gio’s tiramisu
I like the short, sturdy wine list, as there’s notable variation on the usual Italian wines and our Fiano is great value; crisp and dry, with great mouth feel, a long finish and textures of pear, melon and stone fruits holding fort on the palate.
Zin / Fiano
We order two glasses of Frangelico with the bill of £162.00 (Food £84.50 / Drinks £59.50 / Service Charge £18.00) and whilst we wait for our taxi we’re offered limoncellos on the house… now that’s what I call Sicilian hospitality!
There are some perfectly understandable first night nerves and plenty of creases to be ironed out, but being sat in the bar area by the front door meant eating the entire meal in my coat. From here, I’m also looking into the dining room with its bright energy, feeling like we’re outside, looking in.
As for the food, it’s inconsistent, but when it sparkles it’s a joy and I suspect you could easily choose better than I did from the menu… there’s enough good stuff and I can well imagine people will leave here perfectly content.
Just as we’re leaving, a friend texts me ‘how’s the new Sicilian place?’ It puts me on the spot and reply ‘I’m not sure’. He replies ‘You would be a tough audience for that gaff’ and indeed, that’s true. But, now having digested the whole experience, I’m sure it’ll stand shoulder to shoulder with those other decent JQ casual dining spots… Txikiteo, Temper & Brown, Otto, Trentina and 1000 Trades.
That’s good company to be in and it’s another step in the right direction for The Food… erm… The Jewellery Quarter.
WORTH A TRY
41 Pitsford Street, Goodsyard, Jewellery Quarter B18 6LJ
