Ravello

The smoking ban has done wonders for London’s cafe culture & at Ravello the pavement nowadays sprouts a couple of chairs & an olive tree in fine weather to bring a little touch of the Amalfi coast to grimy Old Street. Inside, the trendy artworks belie the traditional appeal of a place where lunch might start with calamari fritti or bresaola with rocket, olive oil, lemon & parmesan before progressing to gnocchi alla sorrentina or scalopine Ravello – a veal escalope topped with mozzarella, tomato & anchovy sauce. Set price menus are a steal & the all-Italian wine list includes plenty of affordable bottles, with a 2001 Castel del Monte DOC ‘Il Falcone’ from Puglia among the more expensive offerings at £28.50. The dessert trolley offers cassata siciliana or zabaglione to finish.