Apertivo serves Italian tapas with a Sardinian touch, and this makes sense because Italian food is very conducive to eating tapas style – many little dishes all at once spread out on the table.

The Venue
This diner is located in the heart of Soho which, like the type of food it serves, makes it perfect for pre-theatre or pre-cinema dining. Soho is an easy place to get to and tapas is quick and easy to eat although this does not detract from its quality as a substantial meal. Bright orange walls and elegant tables preceded by comfy leather sofas make the dining room at Aperitivo a very cosy, welcoming space.

The Atmosphere
Most evenings Aperitivo is very busy and the atmosphere is very lively, even a little noisy, but still very relaxing. However, if you want quiet and private dining is more your style, you might want to come earlier in the week.

The Food
Before the meal you will be served Sardinian music paper, which is a crisp poppadom-style bread, with olives. The menu is imaginative and varied: there are meat, fish and pasta dishes but also plenty for vegetarians. From the fish selection try the tuna carpaccio, thin slices of marinated raw blue tuna. It’s very fresh and light with a delicate flavour. Also good is the fillet of beef with porcini mushrooms and rocket, the beef is very tender and thinly sliced and the subtle taste of the mushrooms complements it nicely. Also fairly good are the veal meatballs in a slightly spicy sauce; however, the black olive in the centre of the meatballs makes them slightly bitter. The layered aubergine, with mozzarella, Parmesan, tomato and basil is a good vegetarian tapas although it is a little heavy. The French beans have too much butter on them and the artichoke salad with sheep’s cheese, almonds and sundried tomatoes doesn’t have quite enough artichokes in it. But overall, both are decent vegetarian dishes.

For dessert try the Sicilian cake make with ricotta, lemon and chocolate – it has a distinctive flavour of candied orange peel, and although a little dry au naturel the sauce moistens it up nicely. The panna cotta, a light vanilla and cream cold dessert served with wild berries is unfortunately not as light and creamy as it would be in a restaurant in Italy.

The Drink
The Sicilian Pinot Grigio 2005 Porta Italica is light and fruity and a perfect complement to a mixed selection of dishes. It is available by the glass for around £6. There are wines from all regions of Italy and if you want something Sardinian, in keeping with the ethos of this restaurant there is the red Etna Rosso 2003 Duca di Castelmonte for around £20 a bottle. There is also a choice of cocktails, champagnes and dessert wines.

The Last Word
You can’t not have fun at Aperitivo, a great atmosphere accompanied with sophisticated food in a good location makes it a winner for many different occasions.

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