Bar Trattoria Semplice

The burgundy-on-pine interiors may be more ASK than VIP, but why glam things up when this baby sibling of Ristorante Semplice (next door) does informal, affordable Italian so effectively? An approachable menu takes a spirited spin through beef carpaccio, spaghetti bolognese, melanzane & caprese salad, along with a lasagne so good its £11 tag warrants a double take. However, the trump cards here are cured meats cut to order on a vintage Berkel slicer at the bar (silky Parma ham, mortadella jewelled with pistachios, glistening rolls of pancetta), & shots of ‘seven-second’ espresso. Otherwise, order a draught Menabrea beer & grab one of the in-demand tables overlooking Woodstock Street’s cobbled enclave. New management appear to have big plans, but the combination of great ingredients & friendly pricing hardly needs attention.