Doost & Amici

A large alfresco courtyard shielded from the traffic is the biggest selling point at this Italian-themed restaurant and wine bar off Kennington Lane. Amici is built for grand parties, events and socialising, but the food is worth noting too. In our experience, “big portions” of pasta are the best bets on the long menu – perhaps sedanini with Tuscan sausages and cream, fettuccine with crab and chilli or tagliolini genovese with Pachino tomatoes. Otherwise, expect a run through salads, pizzas, grills and mains such as fritto misto, chicken breast with lemon cream sauce, slow-roast lamb shank or ‘crunchy’ salmon fillet with green beans. To drink, there’s a plentiful selection of Italian wines by the glass or bottle. Sadly, service can be “woefully slow” (no good for swift working lunches), although we’ve always found the staff very friendly.