This restaurant may seem just one of the many Italian eateries in Central London, but this one boasts a cosy and authentic feel, the service is friendly and the food delicious.

The Venue
This charming little place right on the corner of New Oxford Street beautifully recreates a Tuscan village trattoria. The rustic décor features a relaxed country-style feel throughout, including yellow painted-walls and an indoor patio-style raised area within the main dining room.

The Atmosphere
The ambience is cosy with a homely feel. Old-school Italian music plays in the background and the seemingly Italian staff add to the atmosphere – they'll provide a genuine Italian service, so expect it to be smiley, but a bit slow. The atmosphere is warm and comfortable, and especially calm and quiet around lunchtime, which is the perfect time for conversation. On the other hand, the venue is somewhat small, thus definitely not the best choice for large groups, and it can get very busy in the evening due to its location in the midst of theatre-land.

The Food
The food and wine selection is simple yet classic and inspiring. Start off with a traditional antipasto: the delectable aubergine parmigiana is made up with fresh ingredients and is full of that deep tomato flavour. Among the mains, the gnocchi ai quattro formaggi may not be the healthiest dish with its quartet of full-fat cheeses in double cream sauce, but it’s still lip-smackingly good. The homemade panna cotta is soft and silky in texture, with a strong hint of vanilla and comes with a fresh berry coulis; delicious!

The Drinks
The wine list is unsurprisingly dominated by Italian bottles, with interesting options especially amongst the reds. From easy drinking varieties such as Valpolicella and Nero d’ Avola, to firmly structured Chianti and Negroamaro and right up to premium wines such as Barolo and Amarone, there's plenty of choice.

The Last Word
Located right on one of the busiest streets in the West End, this Italian restaurant stands out for its charm and its food. An excellent pre-theatre or post-shopping venue with good food and good value for money, Italian kitchen fares well amongst mid-range venues, and gives a good account of tasty Italian food.

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