Il Falconiere

There is a huge choice of Italian restaurants in London, some are excellent and others are quite frankly either stuck in a time warp or over expensive and are not to be recommended. But there is only one Il Falconière, where still - after over twenty five years - the quality and value for money is as good as ever.

The first thing that stands out when you walk in is how well-decorated and looked after the place is, so that it retains the appearance of only having opened the day before. And the welcome from Manager Carlos remains as warm and genuine as it has always been.

The menu is not only an interesting selection of the best of Italian cuisine; it also represents excellent value as well, something that has become increasingly more difficult to find in London in recent years. Their fixed price menus for lunch and dinner are avid examples of this fact.

Starters in the evening might be mushrooms sautéed in garlic and parsley; grilled sardines; seafood salad or insalata tricolore - mozzarella cheese, tomato and avocado salad, and they set the scene perfectly.

These might be followed by veal escalope with aubergine and mozzarella cheese; fresh salmon, served grilled or poached or thinly-sliced fillet of beef with mushroom and white wine sauce, ending with a choice of desserts from the menu.

However, you can also eat simply from the à la carte menu with a wonderful selection of different pasta dishes such as linguine ai frutti di mare - with seafood and tomato sauce; risotto with porcini mushrooms or fresh ravioli filled with ricotta cheese and spinach. Some of the specials in this delightful restaurant are alone worth making the trip for, and include entrecote steak served with black peppercorns and brandy sauce or breast of chicken with avocado, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.

Fish lovers will not want to miss the trout with almonds; the grilled Dover sole or the deep fried calamari while carnivores are not ignored with dishes such as pan fried calf's liver with butter and sage or the grilled lamb cutlets.

Over the years, the beautiful setting, friendly staff and great food and service have come together admirably, winning a large following of locals as well as the rich and famous. It is worth noting that there is a Private Room available for parties up to 35 people.

The wine list is also more enterprising than in many Italian restaurants and sensibly priced. More information is available on their Website.