Delfina is the kind of restaurant everyone wishes they knew about – hip without being pretentious, innovative without losing simplicity and well located whilst still feeling hidden.

The Venue
Ten minutes walk from London Bridge station, reclining back from the cobbled streets of Bermondsey, Delfina is a sophisticated daytime restaurant that’s perfect for a long, indulgent lunch. Unfortunately, Friday is the only night Delfina opens for dinner and they book up incredibly quickly.

This converted chocolate factory has wooden floors and white walls, which creates a versatile open plan gallery, displaying resident artists’ paintings. The space is also rented out for upmarket business events and avant-garde art projects when it’s not in use as a restaurant. The furniture is simplistic and a retro soundtrack twinkles off the spot lighting that illuminates the high ceilings. By the large windows there is also a soft corner bulging with white leather sofas, in case you’ve only got time for a cocktail.

The Atmosphere
A mixture of relaxed businessmen, arty types and quiet couples frequent Delfina. The service is attentive and knowledgeable; the staff allow you to enjoy the meal with plenty of time, and are friendly without being intrusive.

The Food
The menu changes frequently, which fits with the upbeat, contemporary atmosphere. To start, you might find dishes like the pan-fried scallop (£6.95). Fennel shavings complement the peppery mustard cress salad, and the scallops are fresh with a firm, textured bite. Vanilla jelly cubes wobble delicately as a surprising garnish – but cleanse the palate with sweet natural vanilla that undercuts the salted edge of the scallops.

Mains could include a slow-roasted venison dish that falls apart with the touch of a knife. It sits atop al dente squares of homemade herb pasta (£13.95). A deep, rich tomato sauce is littered with roasted mushrooms, enveloping the meat without compromising the flavour. For a fish main course, a smoky saffron and yellow lentil platform showcases slices of monkfish wrapped in Serrano ham (£12.95). The meatiness of the monkfish is perfect with shards of Serrano, wrapped so tightly it tastes like the skin the monkfish should have had. Leek sauce spirals around the plate but it is so subtle you could easily miss it in this earthy, full-bodied dish. The side dishes are almost superfluous with the size of the mains but they’re delicious all the same. Seasonal vegetables with a twist – the greens with roasted chestnuts are buttery yet nutritious, and the truffle dressed parsnip salad is as decadent as it sounds (both £3.50).

A poached pear for dessert is firm and permeated with deep winter flavours of plum compote (£4.75). Served whole, but without the core, the pear comes with buttery, crumbling shortbread and leaves a warm cinnamon aftertaste. Unfortunately the cheeseboard is the most disappointing part of the meal. A soft, hard and a blue cheese sit rather unenthusiastically next to membrillo quince jelly and crisp bread – luckily the sweet roasted fig chutney make up for it.

The Drink
The wine list is as eclectic and well priced as the food menu. House wine is £12.50 per bottle, with a good selection of Italian, French, Spanish and New World wines from £14 to £58. Cocktails and Prosecco start from £5 per glass of bubbles, and the desserts are all temptingly paired with a recommended dessert wine (from £3.75).

The Last Word
Delfina serves quality and innovation in an artistic environment. One of the best places for an indulgently affordable lunch near London Bridge.

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