Strada Barnes

A visit to Strada often surpasses expectations. On paper, it may be just another pizza chain, but its commitment to quality Italian cooking, not to mention vibrant surrounds & clued-up staff, puts it a notch above the competition. The oven-baked pizzas are a particular delight, boasting thin, crispy crusts made to a traditional recipe, & toppings that are a riot of colour & flavour. The ‘rustica’, for instance, features a heady mix of roasted Italian sausage, caramelised onions, tomatoes, artichokes & capers. Other mains are equally innovative – think risotto laden with chunky butternut squash, pancetta, pine nuts & wilted spinach, or a fillet of rosemary-stuffed sea bass; starters such as caprese & carpaccio keep things simple, & there’s fail-safe tiramisu to finish. Lunchtime portions can be ‘too small’, but Strada is reckoned to be ‘reasonably priced’ & ‘good enough for your Italian friends’.