Coco di Mama

Fleet Street is overrun with chain eateries & refuelling points, so it’s reassuring to see the lunch-hour crowd queuing outside Coco di Mama – an exuberant & plucky young takeaway-cum-café peddling Mediterranean victuals with a winning smile. Founded by a couple of ex-bankers who left the financial world to pursue their passion for Italian food, it takes sourcing seriously – note the coarse dry-cured salami napoli, the single-estate olive oil & the slow-dried Sicilian ‘al bronzo’ pasta. The latter plays a starring role on the menu, & can be paired with anything from ‘majestic meatballs’ to pesto sauce or portobello mushrooms. Artisan baguettes & salads provide the back-up, with ‘total tiramisu’ or Sicilian lemon cheesecake on hand for those with a sweet tooth, & excellent coffee to boot. Office deliveries, too.