Slick Italian on the City Fringes with fresh, authentic dishes.

The Venue
The cool, clean interior with sparkling white table cloths and a spacious layout shows this is no ordinary trattoria, but a sophisticated modern Italian restaurant. It does have a leg of Parma ham prominently displayed on a table as you enter, perhaps a nod to the menu's rustic origins or a reminder that quality, regional Italian food is the focus here.

The Atmosphere
Tucked away on Whitecross Street in the City fringes, this restaurant gets busy at lunchtime as it is very popular with City workers. The evening diner will find a more relaxed atmosphere with local residents and concert goers from the nearby Barbican Centre filling the tables. The polite waiters flicker from table to table adding to the laid back but dynamic feel.

The Food
Alba dishes up top notch fare, based on fresh Italian produce, served with a modern flourish. A starter of chunks of pecorino and prosciutto di parma served with young broad bean in their fuzzy pods and squares of salty bread is a popular choice. Following this with a good quality ravioli or spicy sausage and leek pasta is enough for a light supper. The fixed price menu at about £18 for three courses is worth a look, but otherwise, a meal from the a la carte menu with starters, main, dessert and a wine will cost around £40 a head.

The Drink
The Italian family that own and run Alba, pride themselves on providing a full range of wines, specialising in the Piedmont region but with many other choices as well, from under £20 a bottle. They also have a choice of grappa for an after dinner digestivo.

The Last Word
Perfect for pre- or post-concert meals or for a homesick Italian. Buonissimo!

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