Alba

It may be to all intents & purposes a staff canteen for lawyers at lunchtime, but in the evening this suave northern Italian is a godsend for Barbican-goers. Its light, good-value fixed price menu fits the bill for a quick post-concert supper, from the sweet roast Piedmont peppers with anchovies to the fennel & luganica sausages & mash. More substantial fare from the a la carte might include carpaccio of salmon with caper flowers & red onion followed by crab ravioli with lobster sauce & crayfish, or perhaps a grilled sirloin steak with rocket & parmesan shavings. Service is more efficient than friendly.

Wine List: One of London’s finest Italian lists offers a stunning range of wine, with Piedmont & Tuscany the specialities & a real effort put into sourcing small producers that are rare to find outside their native regions. Low mark-ups mean huge choice under £30 &, if you splash out, top-end wines are at retail prices. Best Buy White 2004 Traminer Aromatico, Franz Haas, Alto Adige, Italy, £24.50. Best Buy Red 2000 Torrione, Petrolo, Tuscany, Italy, £37.50.