“Simply Italian”:http://www.simplyitalian.co.uk/ in Rye does what its name implies: simple Italian food.
Arriving at 8pm for our mid-week reservation, the restaurant was buzzing. We were shown to a table on the ground floor but before we got settled in, I realised that open doors at the back and front of the restaurant meant we’d be sitting in a through draught. I asked if we could be moved which wasn’t a problem and we were shown to a mezzanine floor up a flight of stairs.
Rather than having a starter each, we shared a garlic bread and were given the option of a small, saucer sized one or large dinner plate size. We were glad we went large as the thin crisp pizza with its buttery garlic juices and smells, was quickly devoured.
We chose our two favourite pasta dishes: spaghetti carbonara and lasagne. Both were good and offered with generous servings of grated parmesan and black pepper.
Service from the largely young crew was very friendly and professional and although I was tempted by a pudding or coffee, I was really too full.
With a litre of a palatable house white, reasonable at £21, our bill came to £48.05 with service charge not being automatically added.
This is a casual place and as it’s relatively cheap, was obviously popular with family groups. It also makes a change from Rye’s many fish restaurants.
There is also a branch in Eastbourne.
