There's a soulful place in Soho, cheeky with Italian charm, brimming with cocktails, the almost permanent buzz of blues music spilling out from its doorway onto Old Compton Street: RustiKo restaurant.
The interior is quirky and comfortable, and downstairs is a cute new bar called The Shed too, serving cocktails, speciality Proseccos and aperitifs (Italian in style, of course!). The menu is large and reasonably priced, with pizza/pasta mains around the £9-11 mark, meaty ones between £14 and £18.
We tried a selection of their piattini (starters) including calamari fritti (£6)- crisp and light, as it should be – and melt in the middle arancini, stuffed with bolognese (£4). A main of pan-fried salmon with white sauce, asparagus and spring onion also hit the spot, avoiding that dreadful chalky over cooked texture which makes me shudder. The chicken supreme with butternut squash, curly kale and pesto also proved a hit and was moist in the middle, brimming with chicken-y juices. We ended with cannoli filled with ricotta, candied fruit and chocolate chips – a sweet, fitting end to a good meal.
If you're looking for a good central joint, slightly off the beaten Soho track where you won't be elbowing Spritzer wielding media types out of your way with every step, this is a good choice. Check it out.
37 Old Compton St, London W1D 5JY
020 7734 6361
rustikosoho.com
