Fantozzi: The family-friendly Southgate Italian that does Italian food justice

For an entire decade, my family and I have stepped through those Fantozzi doors into a typical Italian environment, one that focuses on traditional Italian values. Not once have we been left disappointed.

When I first walked through the doors, again recently out of a blazing Storm Dennis, I immediately got a sense of the classic Italian feel as right in front of me were the chefs, making and baking their pizza bases. I remember my amazement at watching the pizzas being made in front of me as a 10-year-old when I first went to Fantozzi, as there are tables that allow you to see the complete production. Even to this day, it still interests me, but that might just be the childish side of me.

I wasn’t left waiting when I arrived, and I haven’t been for 10 years, but remember to book on weekends, it can get busy. As I was taken past the chefs down a tight pathway to the main part of the restaurant, I found it hard to not notice the fake flames flailing away along the old brick walls, looking just as good as the normal ones. I’m not sure why, but they’ve always been one of my favourite pieces of decor at Fantozzi.

The picture you see above was the view from my seat, placed bang underneath the air con set at the perfect temperature. I’m sure your first thought is, why is it so empty? Funnily enough, it wasn’t the busiest thanks to Storm Dennis and the fact that we were booked in for 6pm, but I can assure you it was packed when we left an hour later. The proximity of the wooden, yet stable, tables combined with the old brick walls and false wooden doors in picture, really play on the classic Italian style, and this Italian atmosphere was helped by all the staff being from Italy.

In my opinion, the restaurant is great for family occasions, such as birthdays, celebrations or just for a nice meal out. From my eyesight in my seat alone, I saw five families sitting around us with their children, with one group including friends to celebrate a birthday.

Fantozzi takes a great attitude to birthdays, as special birthday celebrations are something that my family and I have seen many a-time. The music stops and the Italian version of ‘Happy Birthday’ begins, as staff members, either holding tambourines or clapping, walk over to the table.

What’s great as well is how the other guests in the restaurant join in with the clapping and cheering at the end too. I remember one time where everyone at Fantozzi was clapping along to the song, a great example of the family aspect of the restaurant.

My family and I went to Italy a few years ago and visited several lovely Italian restaurants, and the Fantozzi food was honestly bettered by only one. The pizza, which is my go-to dish at any Italian, was cooked to perfection for me. The crust isn’t too soft, but it’s not crispy. It’s essentially a dough ball texture, just around the edge of the pizza.

The toppings themselves were great as always. I don’t know if it’s just me, but if the tomato sauce before the crust is good, that can really make a pizza and it certainly did again. Admittedly the pizza was cut quite unequally, however that’s one of those things that tend to be low down on my important list for pizzas.

After everyone at the table demolished their food, give or take some pizza crusts, we unusually had space left for desert. The profiteroles are often a popular choice, however my personal favourite has to be the coconut ice cream, something I’m sure even the waitress was surprised to see ordered. It was served in an actual coconut, accompanied by two wafers, that was cut in half and placed in a glass dish.

The ice cream itself wasn’t too frozen, but also not too soft that it would run off the spoon. Coconut isn’t everyone’s favourite to put it lightly, but for me, this ice cream left me scraping the bottom of the coconut in an attempt to eat every last bit of it.

Overall, it was another great night out with the family that left me fully filled. As a “Fantozzi veteran”, it’s a place that I would recommend to anyone who wants a nice meal out with the family, or a place to celebrate a special occasion.

On the other hand, Fantozzi isn't cheap, with a main, dessert and a can of Fanta coming in at approximately £17, so the average family probably won't make a habit of going regularly.

However, when a special occasion arises, such as birthdays or family get-togethers, Fantozzi is always on the top of my family’s go-to list.