Finding a good Italian in our capital is surprisingly difficult. I've tried loads and am rarely wowed. In a city with its own Little Italy, it's surprising I have this struggle. Perhaps it's due to nostalgia for my own local Italian growing up in Yorkshire which, I still maintain, was the best.
Recently I visited a new spot in my quest for good Italian grub: Forty Dean Street, right in the heart of Soho. It's a small, family run restaurant that's been around for 17 years serving regional Italian classics. I headed down for a bloggers' dinner for a chin wag and (priority uno) my pasta fix.
The menu is simple, ranging from starters, pastas, a couple of pizzas and into the carnes and fish. It's not going to set the molecular world alight – everything is homely, traditional -but that's not what I'd come to a family Italian expecting. I tried first of all their pan fried tiger prawns with cherry tomatoes and a white wine sauce on crostini – prawns were moist and the sauce slurpable.
A stand up hit was the lobster ravioli – it's a crowd favourite and I can understand why. It comes in a kick ass thick bisque sauce and a whopping lobster claw. For £14.90 this is a bit of a central London bargain and the portions are not small.
Tasty but tricky was a linguine pasta with seafood (pictured at the top) – all came well flavoured, if a little difficult to eat with the shells. I can't complain much – I managed it. I finished mains with tender lamb chops with a simple salad and crushed potatoes – another bargain at £12.90.
All an all, Forty Dean Street is a good Italian. It's reliable, well priced and always has a good buzz about it. With this formula, it's clear to see why Italian has been served at the site for 17 years.
One to try, if you're in the area!
40, Dean St, London W1D 4PX
020 7734 1853
http://fortydeanstreet.com/
