Our old fashioned Italian in Waterloo

The SO works near Waterloo and meeting her one evening we chanced upon Caprini (77 Waterloo Road, Lambeth, London). It's an Italian restaurant that certainly used to be family run, and feels like it still is. I am certain that the manager is the son of the original owner.


I write "chanced upon" because it's easy to walk past. It's unobtrusive. Of course there's signage, but...In the advertising war with other restaurants in Waterloo Road, Caprini loses.


It's a little old fashioned, they have an ice cream display freezer at the front which doubles up to chill the salads. The food is cracking. Better portioned than some of it's competitors nearby, and as consequence better priced. They sell wine by the half, and full, carafe. Feel. The. Love.


I confess, I like steak done Italian style. The SO does too, but tries other dishes. She likes Caprini's pastas. This is interesting, as the SO is a demanding critic of pasta. Normally Italian restaurants in London don't do pasta well. Caprini does.


This place is retro-chic, and like many such places has a relatively bohemian regular clientele. If you like achingly cool, probably better to go somewhere else.

The restaurants of Twickenhamshire

The SO and I really like La Seronata (117 London Road, Twickenham, TW1 1EE).  It's a step back to the late 1970's and we do like the nostalgia.  However, it does divide reviews if one reads trip advisor et al.

What to say?  Family run.  Slower paced.  Home cooked?  Sort of.  The owner's wife / co-owner is certainly doing her thing in the kitchen.  The menu hasn't changed in the years we've been going, and thank goodness for that!  The fillet steak with dijon mustard and brown sugar is a delight, and reasonable (for within the M25) at £18.  SO had sirlion with brandy and pepper.  Her summary was "mmm" and a smile.  The veg and starch came in the stainless steel serving platters.  This is like my childhood.

Anything wrong?  The wine's expensive.  It is the one reason we don't come more often.  SO has suggested that next time we drink the house red, or order by the glass.  She's a sensible one, is the SO.

La Seronata does provide a lovely antidote to the relentless march of themes and chains.