Taberna Etrusca

The exceptionally pretty dining room & atmospheric location in the shadow of St Mary-le-Bow may charm, but it’s the good service & reliable Italian food that keeps fans coming back for second helpings. The restaurant’s traditional yet distinctive ambience is reflected in its menu, which is fresh & interesting without being too out-there. Start with smoked swordfish with wild leaves & tapenade before a main course of spaghetti tossed with sliced Scottish beef fillet sauteed in garlic, chilli & fresh tomato, or perhaps a grilled king prawn & scallop skewer with fine beans & red onion salad. Fizzes aside, the wine list is all-Italian & listed by style. There are Italian cheeses, tiramisu or lemon ice-cream with limoncello to finish. Outdoor tables here are among the most coveted in the City in fine weather, so check the forecasts & book ahead to bag one.