With so many great places to eat in the capital, when someone says to you ‘let’s go across the river for dinner,’ you may well make your excuses and try to get out of it. The quality Italian fare on offer at Cantinetta, however, is well worth the extra effort.

The Venue
If you’re not familiar or local to the area, then Cantinetta can be a bit of a tricky find. It is best to drive here, but if you fancy a brisk walk, the nearest tube/train station is Putney Bridge or Barnes.

Divided into a contemporary bar area, with high seats and tables and semi open-plan restaurant, it suits all moods. The bar is grand and laden with interesting spirits; the restaurant, which has two sections, has a large selection of colourful and wonderful drawings displayed, which are taken from the owner’s personal collection.

In addition there are glass doors that open out onto the patio/terrace area. A great place to sit during the summer months.

The Atmosphere
Cantinetta maintains a very relaxed vibe. The staff are faultlessly helpful and professional, yet still manage to be very friendly at the same time. It’s busiest at the weekend, but still comfortable and enjoyable. Expect to find locals of all ages here, indulging in good food and fine drinks.

The Food
You know you are at a quality Italian restaurant when the bread basket is good. The breads are made on site and consist of herby delights and ones infused with onions. Dip these into high quality olive oil and you’re on a winner. In the bar, the food to try is the tiraditi, a form of Italian finger-food. All of the options are £3.50 and the ingredients are very fresh and expertly made. The crostini n’duja e tonno combines diced raw tuna with a spicy sausage sauce. The tuna is exceptionally tender and a delight on the palate.

The restaurant menu is divided into three sections: antipasti, primi and secondi. Antipasti range from £6.50-£8.50, and if you want something a bit different, then the coniglio sott’olio (£7.50) is well worth a try. Essentially it is potted rabbit pate and it is a light dish which is enlivened by the fresh salsa verde.

In the primi section expect to find pasta, risotto and gnocchi. A fantastic dish to have is the spaghetti con le vongole (£9.50). It has a rich sauce with wonderfully soft clams that burst with flavour. The spaghetti is perfectly al dente and it is a simple yet satisfying version of the classic dish.

Secondi is essentially the mains, which offer traditional dishes like rib-eye steak (£18) and monkfish (£17.50). The steak is brilliantly succulent and is a decent cut. The accompanying jus enhances the flavour of the meat beautifully.

The Drink
Unsurprisingly the wine on offer is all Italian and there is a lot to choose from: there's over 20 reds and nearly 20 whites. To start you off, the house is a Borgo Selene for £14.50 a bottle, £5 a large glass and £3.75 a small, and it's a decent tipple. However, the prices do rise rather quickly, so if you want the best value for money wine, ask the staff as they will be more than happy to help you out. Fortunately the fizz is reasonably priced and there’s only three to quibble over. House prosecco is £22 a bottle and compares favourably to champagne.

The Last Word
Cantinetta has a warm and cosy feel to it and is great for either some light nibbles in the bar area, or a full on Italian feast in its open restaurant section. It is definitely worth crossing the river for.

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