The shop window says it all, filled with the most mouth-watering luscious creamy cakes. Stare too long and you’ll probably trip over your own tongue as you walk through the door.

The Venue
Amato is a very pleasant patisserie. The counter looks like a controlled explosion of chocolate, cream, fruit and sponge has just gone off and landed perfectly for your eyes only. If you can pull yourself away from the counter then you’ll be offered a table where you can place your order. The venue feels perfectly sized; it’s not overwhelmingly large and it’s certainly not cramped. The tables are sturdy enough so you don’t have to worry about your coffee spilling all over the place and the large sheets of clouded glass with slender women dressed in various glamorous outfits lining the wall offers some slightly unusual aesthetics for a cafe.

The Atmosphere
One thing is for sure, the staff here want you to feel at home, and that is immediately obvious as they all say hello to you and acknowledge your presence as you close the door behind you. Friendly and always checking that you’re ok, it’s reassuring to know that you’ll never be stranded and in need of assistance. Popular in the afternoon during the week, the atmosphere in Amato is alive but not in an overwhelming sense. With the constant noise of chit-chat drowning out the European pop music everyone enjoys the environment and can easily let go.

The Food
Being a patisserie, there is an enormous selection of naughty cakes, a slice of which will cost you £3.95 if you choose to eat in and £2.75 if you take it away with you. Eclairs, biscuits and truffles are also available for those with a sweet tooth.

Main dishes include an assortment of spaghetti, fettuccine and penne dishes each of which cost around £8.50. In the morning a full English breakfast will set you back £5.85 and if you prefer the continental approach to the first meal of the day then there are a number of pastries to choose from that’ll cost no more than a couple of quid.

The Drink
A lovely small cappuccino costs £1.95 and comes with enough froth to smooth out the flavour and a light sprinkling of chocolate powder to give it a dash of sweetness. Although the prices are quite dear don’t forget you’re slap bang in the middle of London. They also serve a small selection of teas including Darjeeling, peppermint, chamomile and jasmine while orange juice and Coca-Cola are available for those who fancy a cold drink.

The Last Word
Certainly worth dipping into the back streets of London for as the staff are extremely friendly and the menu’s very filling.

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