ASK Italian Norwich.

Unit 405, Chapelfield Plain, Chapelfield, Norwich, NR2 1SZ.

Tel: 01603 230 300.

Visit Website.

We’ve been a fan of ASK for years, having eaten at several across the country over the past decade or so and having never been disappointed.

 

Our recent sampling of the new Norwich restaurant (opened October 2011) was quite accidental after we were accommodated last minute, without booking. While busy, the staff at ASK couldn’t do enough to assist us and the experience (including the food, obviously) was thoroughly enjoyable.

 

Inside, ASK is bright with a non-conventional style that can only be defined as contemporary-retro. Modern lines are influenced everywhere by 50s and 60s shapes and colours. Apparently the look takes its inspiration straight from the Italian city of Milan, being shocking (in a good way) and trend setting. Pieces inside were commissioned solely for ASK (the Manager tells us that the pattern on the restaurant ceiling is inspired by the ceiling in Norwich Cathedral).

 

The food too is intended to be progressive, with ever-popular Italian classics alongside regularly changing dishes that make the most of seasonally available ingredients. ASK may be a chain, but we found the food to be on a par with the best independents. Portion sizes are sensible and the dishes bursting with flavour.

 

Much of the food is authentic in its Italian-ness – the pizza and pasta sauces and olive oil, for example are made in Italy, and the semolina flour Pizza bases are made fresh and by hand. All the Chefs, bar one, at ASK Norwich are Italian.

 

ASK does not claim to be fine dining, but does aim to be enjoyable. The encouragement is to ‘kick back and relax’, and for the staff, nothing should be too much trouble.

 

Very family friendly in the daytime (Children’s menu and highchairs, etc available), ASK Norwich has a more grown-up, continental bistro feel at night.

 

Finally, as if the City Centre location weren’t enough to tempt you in, the huge doors at the front of the restaurant open up to make the whole front of the restaurant partly al fresco. Get a good seat facing the big television screen in Chapelfield and you’ll be nicely placed to sit, eat, drink and enjoy the London 2012 Olympics. Excellent.

 

Open Mon-Thur 12Noon-11pm, Fri & Sat 12Noon – 11.30pm, Sun 12Noon-10pm.