La Collina

Having read the square meal review we booked a table – big mistake.
Food was very disappointing especially the pasta – if an Italian restaurant can't cook pasta then you might as well go home ! The waiters were very amateur and the manager was not very concerned that the food was not up to standard. Even though 1 starter and 1 main course was taken off the bill, for 5 people ,with 1 bottle of wine and only 2 courses – the bill was £45 pp – too much ! !

This is a handy local, serving what I think could best be characterised as “correct” Italian cooking. The young lady who seems to manage front of house is friendly and attentive, but not very adequately supported by other waiting staff who often seem unable to speak English, however willing they may be. My wife and I have eaten here a number of times, alone, with kids, with friends… The food is authentic and restrained, the wine list has something for everyone. Starters such as grilled vegetables with burrata were good, the mussels generous. Last time I tried the ossobucco it was tough, but this time it fell off the bone, and the traditional risotto as it should be. The prices as really quite modest taken in the round and the atmosphere can be really quite good, if a bit cramped. I prefer to sit at the back on the ground floor, or below that at garden level, but not at the front by the door – a bit too much traffic. Oh, and if you like to celebrity spot, the restaurant is only about 150 yards from where the Foreign Sec lives, and the time before last that we went, Lord Mandelson was there too.