Valentina

Younger sibling of the deli/caffè in Putney, this branch of Valentina also puts Italophile provisions at the top of its agenda: 22 antipasti, 18 olive oils, 10 jams & honeys, et al. Browse the counters before stopping off at the ground-floor/mezzanine dining area for some capably rendered food with a seasonal accent: kick off with fritto misto, insalata caprese or quails stuffed with porcini risotto on creamed leeks, before sampling one of house pizzas, spaghetti vongole, beef tagliata or cod served atop a deep-fried polenta cake with mussel & saffron sauce. Desserts are simple but effective – perhaps vanilla pannacotta or panettone bread & butter pudding. The 200-strong, all-Italian wine list has plenty of satisfying quaffing for under £20 a bottle. Valentina also has branches in East Sheen & Sevenoaks.