Lunch at Cantinetta Putney


 

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Lunch For Two - But Children Were Most Welcome

Cantinetta is not just for grown ups or special occasions

With our children enjoying the "delights" of Thorpe Park with friends, my husband and I decided to include lunch out in our lazy itinerary at a "grown up” restaurant deciding upon Putney’s recently opened Italian Cantinetta.

We ignored the Set Lunch Menu (2 courses £12.50 or 3 courses £15.50) as the unseasonal temperatures had affected our appetites and opted for main courses of Calves’ Liver with Spinach and a sage butter (£15.50) and Calmari in Umido (£13.50) a squid stew with peas and potatoes plus a side order of zucchine fritti (£3.00).

To drink we ordered a small 250ml carafe of wine each - my choice was the Monte Rose (£7.25) and Mark’s the Verdicchio (£7.95), plus a bottle of sparkling water which I understand is carbonated in the restaurant (we assumed this was why it was priced at a palatable £1.50 a bottle plus it must have has less impact on the environment).

My calves’ liver was wonderfully tender and a perfect pink on the inside. The spinach had just a hint of garlic without overpowering the sage butter. The squid stew was rustic with tentacle-less squid stuffed with more squid - the flavour, I am told, was fabulous but as someone allergic to seafood I will let Mark be the judge of that! The zucchini appeared to have been forgotten but quickly rectified and arrived piping hot in a small metal flowerpot. They were delicious.

We ended our lunch with piping hot espressos (£1.95) what you expect but not always available at some restaurants.

The bill including service was £54.78.


photo courtesy of Richard Heald

Harking back to it's days as The Phoenix, Cantinetta has an eclectic collection of art on display. The addition of some blinds in the summer would prove a welcome addition as will the outdoor canopies when they arrive next week.

For those with children they have two children's menus at £5.50 & £9.50. The family at the nearest table were certainly enjoying the experience.

Cantinetta offers a restaurant for both special and grown up occasions as well as for the whole family to enjoy traditional Italian food. I would recommend giving it a try.

Sandi Bloomfield


April 27, 2011