Standing proud on the corner of Bow Churchyard in the heart of the Square Mile, Taberna Estrusca exudes authenticity in its Tuscan design and humble Italian dishes.

The Venue
Stepping in through the church-like doorway, customers are greeted and shown to their white-draped table. Once inside, the roof arches, delicate chairs and hanging flower baskets transport cliental to a Florentine setting – the secluded patio courtyard at the back of the restaurant is beautiful on a summer’s day. Among the Italian Renaissance decor is a picture wall of great sporting photos. Shrine-like and predominantly in homage to Ferrari it features detailed drawings, framed photographs and signed memorabilia.

The Atmosphere
Lunch is most definitely office-orientated but who says business and pleasure can’t mix? For fine wine drinkers or informal meetings, Taberna Estrusca provides the suitable ambience, as well as a private-dining area downstairs for those that want to keep things hush-hush. The waiters are professional and unobtrusive as they navigate through the closely-knit tables, and the door staff are pleasant and welcoming.

The Food
Offered in the traditional Italian layout, the la carte menu is divided into anti-pasta, pasta, pesci, carni and verdure, with something for pretty much everyone. Alternatively, the chef’s daily menu is available offering two courses for £16.

To start, the crab avocado salad (£8.50), although fresh and neatly presented, could benefit from another flavour - the roast asparagus wrapped in salty Parma ham (£8.50) is the more appetising choice. For an additional charge of £3.50 the pasta section can be served as a main course, and it's certainly a generous extra helping. The penne (£8.85) is classic with its tomato sauce and juicy selection of grilled vegetables with melted chunks of warm goat's cheese. From the pesci main, the scallops (£14.50) are grilled perfectly with the ripe lime segments and smoky pancetta complementing the taste on a bed of rocket leaves.

The phrase ‘to die for’ is all too often used with chocolate, but Taberna Estrusca’s warm fondant (£6.10) is the epitome of it. The vanilla ice cream melts beautifully with the exceptional chocolate fondant - the portion size just right for the sweet dolci. For those wanting a lighter finale, the homemade sorbet (£5.00) is a good choice; three scopes of heaven served in a crispy flower-shaped wafer.

The Drink
As you might expect, the popular drink seems to be the vino and most tables have a tasteful cooler propped nearby. The house white (Arpeggio Bianco - £14.50) is a crisp Sicilian wine that complements many of the fish and chicken dishes. For the experts, the wine list spans six pages, with a selection from many Italian provinces along with a few other European and new world bottles.

The Last Word
Clearly a popular haunt for City workers, it’s advisable to book for the busier days at peak hours. For a traditional Italian feast with wholesome homemade dishes this place is a good bet - just double-check you’ve got a few extra belt-holes to spare before you sit down.

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