The Atmosphere: Mafia Chic Meets Live Jazz

As soon as we walked in, I felt like I was being recruited into La Cosa Nostra. Low lighting. Smooth jazz. Staff that glide silently like they're hiding secrets. And oh yeah… live music playing softly while you eat, giving it that intimate speakeasy feel.

Perfect for:

• Impressing your date

• Starting a criminal empire

The Starters: AKA The Financial Plot Twist

This is where things took a turn.

Stacy, classy queen that she is, started with the fried calamari which was light, crispy, and perfectly seasoned. I went full chaos and ordered two starters like I was hosting a banquet.

• Meatballs: Juicy, rich, and swimming in a sauce that made me consider licking the plate.

• Fried Mac & Cheese Balls: Outrageous. Deep-fried nostalgia wrapped in breadcrumbs. Each bite felt like a warm hug... from someone wearing gold chains and whispering in Italian.

Now, here’s the kicker —
These starters?
almost £100.
Yes.
One. Hundred. Pounds.

I looked at the bill like it was a prank. Even the meatballs were like, “Ayo, we didn’t ask to be priced like diamonds.”

The Mains: The Pasta Redemption Arc

Stacy had the short rib gnocchi, and let me tell you, she barely said a word. That’s how you know it slapped.
Fluffy, pillowy gnocchi with melt-in-your-mouth short rib in a sauce so rich it probably owns a villa in Lake Como.

I had the truffle pasta, which came out like it knew it was the main character. Creamy, earthy, luxurious and every bite was like being serenaded by Pavarotti.

No notes. Chef’s kiss.

Dessert: We Shared. Our Bank Account Had No Choice.

We finished with a shared cheesecake because, financially speaking, we were already emotionally preparing to sell a child.
Creamy, dense, with that perfect balance of tart and sweet. Worth it. Me and Stacy almost came to blows for the last bite.

Drinks: Boozy Economics 101

We started with two cocktails, which were £20 EACH.
After crying softly into the drinks menu, we made the smart financial pivot to a bottle of Malbec, which felt like the first logical decision of the evening.

It paired beautifully with the food and didn’t require us to remortgage the house, although we did pick the cheapest bottle on the menu which was still £56 for a bottle that I could no doubt find in Tesco for less than a tenner. Oh well… “When in Rome”

The Whole Package: It’s More Than Just Food

Here’s the deal, yeah, it’s expensive. But Louis isn’t just a restaurant, it’s an experience.
The venue, the live music, the ambience, and the food all come together like a perfectly orchestrated opera. What you’re really paying for is the vibe.

Treat it like a night out with a little extra magic and a lot of Italian flair. Because sometimes, you don’t just want dinner, you want to be transported back to the 1920’s, have your phone camera covered up with a little sticker and eat pasta whilst a man sings covers of Sinatra.

Final Bill & Verdict:

Yes, this meal cost more than our monthly council tax.
Would we go back? Yes.. for a special occasion.

Would I recommend Louis?
Absolutely.
Just maybe eat a snack before you go so you don’t go nuts on the menu with prices even Premier league footballers would baulk at.

Pro Tips for First-Timers:

• Don’t order like you just won the lottery unless you actually did.

• Switch to wine after one cocktail.

• Soak up the live music — it’s the secret sauce.

• Remember: you’re paying for the whole vibe, not just the plate.