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.