The hugely successful yet refreshingly humble British chef, Theo Randall, who earned River Café a Michelin star and who continues to create wonderful authentic Italian cuisine at the Intercontinental Hotel, has now opened Theo’s Simple Italian in the Hotel Indigo in Kensington to ensure that we all get a taste of the action.
Décor/Atmosphere
As with all Hotel Indigo properties there’s a distinct boutique-y and intimate vibe as you walk into the Edwardian townhouse and the inviting restaurant makes you feel relaxed immediately. Off the central room you'll find the bar, a cosier and more private area and a self-professed ‘snug’ designed for private meetings and events where you can also get some work done on your laptop or simply relax and unwind with a glass of wine after a long day.
For those who fancy popping in for a quick take-away lunch or snack, the cold counter offers homemade cakes and pastries in the morning and charcuterie and cheeses in the afternoon and they’ve even joined forces with Clerkenwell-based company Workshop Coffee who park a van outside and serve artisan coffee to those who love the real stuff.
There truly is something for everyone here. 
With Head Chef William Leoni at the helm and drawing on the ethos of his new cookbook My Simple Italian, Theo’s food is focused on seasonality, simplicity, basically the food we love to eat. There seems to be a movement at the moment of redefining Italian food and showcasing some of the cuisine’s more traditional dishes, and with this in mind there wasn’t a pizza in sight!
The menu is relatively short and this makes the process of ordering a pleasant one, made even more enjoyable by quaffing a glass of ice-cold Prosecco while we perused. Cicchetti, or small snacks, are the Venetian equivalent of Spanish tapas and we tried the veal, beef and pork meatballs with burrata (£3.50), which my partner claims were the best meatballs he’d ever eaten. I was simply astounded by their lightness, a characteristic we were informed is a result of using three meats, primarily veal. 
The dollop of burrata just melting on top of the rich and spicy sauce was a mere teaser for the antipasti dish we chose, which was a perfect pouch of luxurious cream and mozzarella, a truly authentic burrata (£9) from Italy. They’re a naughty pleasure at the best of times, but this one was out of this world. My only criticism would be that the fresh heirloom tomatoes that surrounded it, that I expected to instantaneously take me back to sitting on the balcony in Sorrento eating olive oil-drenched tomatoes with mozzarella and San Daniele ham, were unripe and lacked flavour. 
The manager insisted that we we try the pasta, their speciality, so we thought it only polite to try two pasta dishes for our starters. That’s what the Italians do after all!
The pappardelle with an oxtail ragu (£11), which consisted of beautifully light ribbons of pasta and exceptionally tender oxtail, was immediately comforting and took me back to the oxtail soup I ate as a child. The Tuscan gnudi (‘naked’ in Italian) (£6) gives you an insight into the simplicity of this dish, which featured a hearty portion of delicate ricotta dumplings dripping in noisette butter and topped with crisp sage and Parmesan. The gnudi were silky and moreish, and although they weren't as familiar as gnocchi, they were just as comforting. And finally, because it stood out from the moment we opened the menu, the fish stew with red mullet, prawns and squid (£22) arrived. The bowl was piled high with fresh fish and seafood, and was swimming in the most wonderfully rich and heady bisque, all served with toasted bread to soak up the juices and not forgetting that all-important hidden gem of a crostini sodden with flavour underneath it all. Drink The Italian wine list is unpretentious and it is such a nice touch that the staff can so knowledgably help you make a decision, satisfying any whim and pairing it with your food selection so well. The Prosecco we started with, Torre Ca’Morlin, was a fresh well-rounded sparkling, which was kind on the palate and eased us in gently. We tried a beautiful Fiano-Greco, which had similar characteristics to a fruity Sauvignon Blanc and worked very well with the richness of the meatballs and rich cheese. The smooth and dark Refosco red wine was full-bodied enough to stand up to the heady fish stew and the dessert wine called Mirto surprised me with its complexity. All in all, a very intelligent wine list, or very intelligent pairing, likely both.
Dessert
And just when we thought we could eat no more, a trio of desserts (£6.00) arrived. We started with the most divine lightly bruléed lemon tart, which transported me back to Sorrento, the land of enormous, plump and endlessly juicy lemons. Next was a white chocolate and orange tart, which was sweeter and light as a feather, with a perfectly crisp pastry that suddenly succumbs to its unctuous filling. Lastly, the Sambuca semi-freddo was refreshingly light and had a nice kick of espresso. As no Italian meal is complete without Limoncello, we had a cheeky tipple to finish off the meal. 
Service
It is quite clear that service is of the utmost importance adapting so effortlessly to the moods and wants of their guests. They genuinely want to please, and their tight team appear so happy and confident in what they’re offering here. The Manager is marvellous, a font of knowledge on all things Italian, and as it turns out, all things Theo (he’s worked with him for years) and his passion for this place is tangible. We could have talked to him all night, in fact we did. Our experience overall I keep referring to it as Theo’s Casual Italian because that’s how I think of it – a relaxed atmosphere, great hearty food, warm service. It seems the aim is for guests to relax and feel at home away from home, that there really is a personal touch to their stay, and this is precisely how we felt during our (all too short) stay. Location **** Food and drink ***** Ambience **** Staff attentiveness/friendliness ***** Theo's Simple Italian 34-44 Barkston Gardens London SW5 0EW www.theossimpleitalian.co.uk Luci Lyne
0 Comments
 Situated on the South Quay of Canary Wharf and dwarfed by the city’s imposing office blocks, Bella Cosa is a modern Italian restaurant offering authentic Italian food in a sophisticated environment. Upon arrival, a maitre d’ greets guests, creating a welcoming atmosphere. Guests have the option of dining at the informal 'Chef's Isle', a relaxed open plan area consisting of a bar and an exposed marble-fronted kitchen, or the upstairs fine dining restaurant for a more refined experience, which we opted for during our visit. For guests seeking more exclusivity, there is also a private dining room with sleek glass sliding doors that diners can retreat to. Inside, diners will enjoy the decor, which includes a striking feature wall, which features wine bottles that are beautifully displayed over the entire expanse of the wall.  We started as we meant to go on, with a cold glass of Prosecco and a selection of canapés, including a delightful fish roe served on a deep-fried polenta crisp and a naughty savoury cannoli filled with mortadella mousse. An amuse bouche of celeriac purée topped with poached confit oyster and truffle shavings served in a china oyster shell was three little mouthfuls of sensational food I’ve thought about for days. Indulge in amazing antipasti From the antipasti selection, we tried the octopus leg with smoked potato mousse, chicory, pesto and olives (£15) and it was an absolute coup - meaty, salty and fragrant and in stark contrast to the sea carpaccio (£18.00), which was a skilfully presented delicate arrangement of finely sliced king prawn, seabass, tuna, mackerel, marinated anchovy, octopus, cured fish roe Bottarga and caviar (£18). The remarkable antipasti selection is a prime example of where Executive Chef Kentaro Torri’s Japanese heritage shines through as he combines the finesse of Japanese cuisine with traditional Italian ingredients and techniques.  Tuck in to delicious mains For our mains we had the Tagliolini twirled with sea urchin and Cornish crab, topped with Rapini pesto and a final flurry of herbed breadcrumbs for texture (£13-£19). This looked petite and elegant but was incredibly comforting with a rich depth of flavour. Similarly, the five-cheese ravioli with cubes of the most succulent pork cheek, a saffron sauce and shaved black truffle (£13/£18) was a luxurious and well-executed dish that I didn’t want to end. Next we sampled one fish dish and one meat dish. The roasted monkfish with an olive tomato crust was a fabulous contrast of textures and the fish, which was cooked to opaque perfection, sat atop a silky seafood fregola (£22). Our final savoury dish was the double-cooked San Daniele pork belly (£20), which was so tender that you could cut it with a spoon. The earthy flavours of wild mushrooms and Jerusalem artichoke puréewere nothing short of sexy . And I think it’s worth saying that I’m a salt-fiend and I didn’t add it to one dish as the seasoning was perfect.   Enjoy a tipple During our meal, each course was paired with wine, which was a particularly lovely touch and one that only enabled us to appreciate the flavour combinations even more. We had a stellar Soave (£9/glass) and a well-rounded Valpolicella (£10/glass). We also enjoyed a palate cleansing Limoncello that left us feeling as though we were in Sorrento than Canary Wharf! For those who prefer beer to wine, Bella Cosa has introduced beer and food pairings, which we were assured extends far beyond Peroni and Moretti! Dessert - the perfect ending to a great meal... We finished our meal with a refreshing clementine carpaccio with lemon sorbet and Prosecco foam (£8.00), which was heavenly. For those seeking a lighter option, I'd recommend the 'pretty-as-a-picture' and rather innovative ‘Mont Blanc in the Snow’(£8.00), which features Chestnut, Chocolate, Hazelnut. Whatever you do, ensure you don't miss out on the deconstructed Tiramisu (£8.00) specked with little nuggets of Amaretto jelly and twigs of chocolate.  Our experience overall
There is so much about this place that makes me happy: the staff, their attitude and passion for what they do and what they offer, the precision with which the chefs cook, while producing light-hearted, smile-inducing dishes. Our only criticism is that we wished it it were a bit busier, but that could vary depending on when you visit. Food and drink ***** Ambience *** Staff attentiveness/friendliness ***** Bella Cosa Drewry House 213 Marsh Wall London E14 9FJ www.bellacosarestaurant.com Luci Lyne 
When I think of Covent Garden, classy restaurants aren't usually front of mind, so it was refreshing to discover Li Veli Winery & Bistro, a chic Italian restaurant and wine shop in the heart of Covent Garden.
Li Veli specialises in traditional wine and food from the Southern region of Puglia, a destination that is on my must-visit travel list. Given that I'm obsessed with all things Italian (and have visited Italy 10 times in the past eight years, it's amazing that I haven't yet discovered the joys of Puglia, but for the time being, I had to settle for travelling vicariously through Li Veli. My friend and I (see my glamorous wine afficando friend below), had the pleasure of visiting Li Veli on a dreary Tuesday evening. Despite it being the beginning of the work week, we were surprised to discover that the restaurant was buzzing. That being said, I assume that word travels fast when one finds somewhere fabulous! 
Li Veli Winery & Bistro specialises in the Apulian cuisine of Southern Italy, and is a joint venture between the Falvo family, owner of the Masseria Li Veli Winery in Puglia, and the Melpignano family, founder and owner of the San Domenico Hotels Group, resulting in a taste of Southern Italy in London's Covent Garden.
All of the dishes at Li Veli are authentic Pugliese dishes accompanied by Li Veli’s award-winning wines. Before our meal, we had the opportunity to peruse the extensive wine offering in Li Veli's wine shop and of course, we couldn't resist sampling a few of the sensational wines, which we enjoyed both before and during our meal. As one would expect, the wine list was extensive and boasted a number of superb wines, many of which are refreshingly available by the glass, so I'd recommend enjoying a few during your visit, if possible. Stand out wines included the Colesel Noai Brut Prosecco n.v. (Veneto) (£7.95), a delicate straw yellow Prosecco; Li Veli Montococo 2011 (£9-£11), an intense ruby red wine with flavours of red and black berries and a spicy finish; and the Li Veli “Askos” Verdeca 2013 (Puglia)( £8.00-£10.00), an intense and fruity white with good acidity.
Above: Nicola Russo, Manager at Li Veli Bistro and Chef Antonio Calò who pulled out all of the stops to ensure that we had an enjoyable experience during our visit.
Above: The fabulous starters at Li Veli Winery & Bistro. From left to right: Homemade focaccia flatbread with cherry tomatoes, nduja salami, bruschetta with tomatoes and peppers and the cheese trough featuring Gorgonzola and Asiago cheeses from Puglia.
 The new Rossopomodoro restaurant in Kingston-upon-Thames is much classier than your typical chain restaurant with a light, cool and airy decor and ample space between tables for a relaxed dining experience. Staff are plentiful, attentive (but not overly so) and welcoming, making it a great place to relax and enjoy simple Italian food. The menu is predominantly pizza and pasta with a number of Neapolitan specialities. For early risers, the restaurant is open from 9:30am for breakfast with an Italian twist.  For our starter, we selected a platter of melt-in-your-mouth Buffalo mozzarella, Parma ham and bruschetta. The bruschetta was fresh with a spicy tang of garlic, and very traditionally prepared (deeply toasted with lashings of olive oil), as a fellow diner pointed out with a hint of nostalgia. We also tried the calamari, which was very tender and cooked in a light tempura batter and accompanied (interestingly) by thin strips of courgettes.
For mains, we selected the Fru Fru pizza with Buffalo ricotta and Neapolitan salami, mozzarella, Parma ham, rocket and basil, the restaurant's most popular pizza, which was deemed by my teenage son to be one of the best pizzas he has ever tasted! He particularly enjoyed the softness of the dough, achieved, we were informed, by cooking the pizza at 500c for 90 seconds. We also had The Pescatora pasta, which had a delicious sauce enriched with octopus and cuttle fish. The pasta was, however, slightly too al dente for my liking. The third of our dishes was the Tonno e Pistacchi; a fresh tuna salad. The fish was cooked to perfection, but the salad was a bit bland. For the perfect accompaniment to our meal, we enjoyed a bottle of the Valpolicella Ripasso, a lovely dark purple wine with dark cherries on the nose and a rich, spicy flavour. My son, who isn't old enough to imbibe, enjoyed the Lurisia Gazzosa, a fantastic, tangy homemade lemonade. To round off the meal, we enjoyed an indulgently rich chocolate soufflé (very moreish), and three scoops of delicious ice-cream. Overall, we had a thoroughly enjoyable experience at this family friendly restaurant, which is great for families with children of all ages. So if you are in the centre of Kingston, whether shopping or not, this is a great place to visit. Our experience overall Food and drink: ★★★★ Ambience: ★★★ Staff attentiveness/friendliness: ★★★★ Elinor Seath 
I'm a lover of all cheeses (bordering on an obsession), so I will definitely be celebrating the Buffalo Mozzarella season this summer!
Buffalo Mozzarella is freshest in July and August, as during these months the weather in Campania is at it’s warmest, the grass and herbs at their sweetest, and apparently water buffalo are at their happiest (I'm not sure how one determines a water buffalo's happiness levels, but it certainly sounds nice to have blissful water buffalo roaming around high on life for the sheer purpose of producing divine cheese). To ensure freshness, Rossopomodoro transport the Buffalo Mozzarella twice weekly direct from Campania, and it goes from production to plate in 24 hours, bringing London the tastiest and freshest mozzarella possible. To celebrate these two special months, Rossopomodoro has introduced two larger sharing plates (in addition to the permanent menu items).
Both are served with tomato bruschetta, grilled vegetables and prosciutto di Parma. With just over a month to go before the Buffalo Mozzarella season ends, ensure you head to Rossopomodoro now to indulge in some creamy and delicious mozzarella in all its glory. 
Rossopomodoro London locations
Addresses Camden 10 Jamestown Road Camden, NW1 7BY 020 7424 9900 [email protected] http://www.rossopomodoro.co.uk/restaurant/camden/ Chelsea 214 Fulham Road SW10 9NB 020 7352 7677 [email protected] http://www.rossopomodoro.co.uk/restaurant/chelsea/ Covent Garden 50 - 52 Monmouth Street WC2 H9EP 020 7240 9095 [email protected] http://www.rossopomodoro.co.uk/restaurant/covent-garden/ Hoxton 1 Rufus Street London, N1 6PE 020 7739 1899 [email protected] http://www.rossopomodoro.co.uk/restaurant/hoxton/ Oxford Street 300 Oxford St, John Lewis Shopping Centre, W1A 1EX 020 7495 8409 [email protected] http://www.rossopomodoro.co.uk/restaurant/oxford-street/ Wandsworth 46 Garratt Lane London, SW18 4TF 020 8877 9903 [email protected] http://www.rossopomodoro.co.uk/restaurant/wandsworth A.A. Miln Want to keep up to date with all of our latest posts? Click to subscribe below and we'll send you a weekly email update with our top posts from the week. Unwind after work in true Sicilian style with aperitivo at IDDU, the inviting new neighbourhood incontro from the team behind South Kensington Club. Bringing the warm, sociable spirit of Sicilian hospitality to South Kensington, IDDU offers drinks and aperitivo (a selection of nibbles on the house) from 6.30pm, all accompanied by French and Italian music. Sicilian delights including cured ham, olives and bruschetta, all expertly paired with Prosecco, Sicilian wines and cocktails; which feature a mix of fresh, seasonal ingredients including a hot tomato vodka, a London spritz (Prosecco, rhubarb liqueur, soda); a cucumber and rosemary gin & tonic; and a collection of Prosecco mimosa. Follow drinks with dinner featuring fresh, natural flavours and healthy ingredient, served up with a contemporary Mediterranean flair. IDDU 44 Harrington Road London SW7 3ND A.A. Miln    With Christmas just around the corner, there's no better time to enjoy Prezzo's Christmas Premium Evening Menu. Starters include:
Mains include:
Desserts include:
During my visit, I had the Mozzarella Carrozza, which was very tasty in all of its cheesy glory, and the Classic Penne with Walnut and Vegetables - a hearty vegetarian pasta loaded with delicious veggies including red onions, green beans, grilled courgettes, butternut squash, sunblushed tomatoes and goat’s cheese, mixed with walnut pesto and topped with spinach. The perfect winter warmer! Having had such generous portions for both my starter and main, I nearly passed on the dessert, however, I couldn't resist the charms of the Chocolate Orange Truffle Slice. The dense cake, which reminded me of a Terry's Chocolate Orange, simply screamed Christmas! Seriously sweet and a little bit sinful - what more could a girl ask for? The Christmas menu is £24.95 for three courses and a glass of Prosecco and is available until 1 January 2105. To view the menu, visit www.prezzorestaurants.co.uk.   Ciao Balham! If you're looking for delicious, reasonably priced Italian in South London, than look no further than Ciullosteria in Balham. This quaint and friendly neighbourhood trattoria is equally perfect for a romantic meal for two or a lively group dinner.
In the summer months, try to snag one of the few outdoor tables on the patio, perfect for watching the world go by as you enjoy a chilled glass of rose while perusing the menu. The menu boasts a wealth of traditional Italian dishes (Penne All Arrabiata, Ravioli Al Pesto, Veal with Mozzarella and White Wine and Tomato Sauce) as well as a few surprising dishes (Sea Bass with Fresh Mint, Taglioni Pasta with Crab and Curly Pasta with Speck and Courgettes). Whatever you choose, the food is lovingly prepared, beautifully presented, and absolutely delicious. If you can't be bothered to lift yourself of the sofa, no need to fret, as they also offer a delivery service within a two-mile radius. To view their menu and hours of operation, visit http://www.ciullosteria.com/. To make a reservation, book online or call 020-8675-3072. Ciullosteria 31 Balham High Road London SW12 9AL A.A. Miln |
Restaurants, Bars and food/drink pop ups and reviews
November 2020
Categories
All
Bon Appetit!There's nothing more delicious in life than indulging in a sensational meal. |
RSS Feed