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Osteria Stecca

Address:	1 Blenheim Terrace NW8 0EH
Tel	020 7328 5014
Email:	info@osteriastecca.com
Website:	Visit Osteria Stecca website
Price: £35.00	Wine: £13.50
Opening Hours:	Tues-Fri 12N-2.30pm Mon-Fri 6.30-10.30pm Sat 12N-3pm 7-10.30pm Sun 12N-6pm

Square Meal review of Osteria Stecca:

Stefano Stecca was head chef at this St John’s Wood site when it was Rosmarino; now, after stints elsewhere including Brunello at Kensington’s Baglioni Hotel, he’s returned to NW8 as chef-patron of his own gaff. We found the cooking underwhelming, but given how busy the place was, undemanding Italian food seems to be just what St John’s Wood locals want – especially when it’s sent out at very reasonable prices (three courses for £21). Vitello tonnato came with an insipid tuna sauce, though the slices of astringent green apple were an effective contrast. Lobster linguini was pleasingly al dente & generous with the shellfish but tasted only of its tomato sauce; fritto misto that showed a skilful hand with the deep fryer was better. Roughly half the Italian wine list is under £30; otherwise spend serious money on Barberas, Barbarescos & Brunellos. Despite inept service & cramped tables, the monochrome room has a terrific buzz, with colour flooding in from the pavement-side conservatory.