When I recently spotted that Marco Pierre White had dined at Ponte Vecchio in Bath, curiosity got the better of me. He happens to be friends with the Head Chef, Valeria, so I decided to see what the fuss was about for myself.
I visited on a Sunday evening. While most of Bath was quiet, the riverside was alive with activity, and Ponte Vecchio was full of diners enjoying their meals. The restaurant, a converted boat house with views over the world-famous Pulteney Bridge, certainly makes the most of its location.
To start, I ordered the Bruschetta – toasted sourdough topped with fresh tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil and oregano. Despite the restaurant being busy at 8pm, this starter arrived within five minutes. The service was remarkable. I have never seen waiters move with such purpose! They seemed determined to ensure every guest had a great dining experience. If there were an award for speed-walking waiters, Ponte Vecchio’s team would win hands down.
For my main course, I chose the Salmone – a pan-seared fillet served on a julienne of carrot, courgette and potato with citronette and a honey and balsamic reduction. Salmon is a personal favourite, and this was both beautifully cooked and of excellent quality.
To finish, I had the Mousse al Pistacchio – a rich pistachio mousse with a forest fruit coulis centre and roasted cashew nuts. At £9.50, I had hoped for a slightly more generous portion, especially compared with the peach mousse pictured on their Instagram, which looks larger. That is, however, a minor quibble about an otherwise delicious dessert.
Ponte Vecchio presents itself as Bath’s finest Italian restaurant, and it certainly makes a strong case. With its riverside setting, convivial atmosphere and food that celebrates Italian classics with care and finesse, it is easy to see why it attracts the attention of both locals and celebrated chefs alike.
Note: There is a discretionary 11% service charge added to the final bill.
Is Ponte Vecchio suitable for families? Yes, you can view the children’s menu on their website.
Where should I park? I recommend using Podium Car Park in Bath. The restaurant is a five-minute walk from the car park.
Based in Somerset, Adam Crookes is on a mission to uncover everything this county has to offer. Adam grew up in Martock before moving to Street in early 2020.