Friday evening date night and we wanted to go somewhere fairly easy going, unpretentious, good food and that wouldn't keep us out too late. Rock n roll lifestyle!
We met there and as I entered it was dark and a small space and I struggled to spot Steve at first. It's am intimate dining space - a few small tables for two and a larger table in the window. Romantic and atmospheric, definitely a date place and we were surrounded by mainly couples.
The menu is on the blackboard and consists of a two or three entrees, two mains and two to three desserts and a couple of side dishes. We tend to eat most things so there was enough for us to choose from but I can imagine for fussier eaters it may be difficult and there was no vegetarian main so I wonder what they do in that respect.
There's an obligatory two courses as they are a small business and I guess it has to be worth their while but given the size of the courses, two courses is good.
We met there and as I entered it was dark and a small space and I struggled to spot Steve at first. It's am intimate dining space - a few small tables for two and a larger table in the window. Romantic and atmospheric, definitely a date place and we were surrounded by mainly couples.
The menu is on the blackboard and consists of a two or three entrees, two mains and two to three desserts and a couple of side dishes. We tend to eat most things so there was enough for us to choose from but I can imagine for fussier eaters it may be difficult and there was no vegetarian main so I wonder what they do in that respect.
There's an obligatory two courses as they are a small business and I guess it has to be worth their while but given the size of the courses, two courses is good.
I started with the spaghetti with Rockling, bottarga and tomato. It was a fish fragrant dish of steaming pasta that was scented with herbs and the fresh tang of tomato. The pasta was perfect; I love it al dente as served in good Italian restaurants and can never seem to recreate this at home. Delicate pieces of white fish flavoured with tomato and soaked up by pasta; this was delicious.
Steve had the prosciutto, Gorgonzola and witlof salad which was flavourful and robust start to dinner with the saltiness and intensity of prosciutto and blue cheese and then the bitterness of the salad leaves.
Steve had the prosciutto, Gorgonzola and witlof salad which was flavourful and robust start to dinner with the saltiness and intensity of prosciutto and blue cheese and then the bitterness of the salad leaves.
We ordered one of the main courses: beef and chicken like being on air plane but so much better. The beef was braised intercostal with a risotto and the chicken was served with smoked aubergine puree and a ratatouille.
We swapped plates halfway through so we could each sample both. The flavours and tenderness of the beef was incredible and then the creamy risotto made this such a dish of comfort and pleasure. The chicken dish was homely and rustic and so tasty. The beef probably edged the chicken dish slightly but both were like a hug from Nonna.
We swapped plates halfway through so we could each sample both. The flavours and tenderness of the beef was incredible and then the creamy risotto made this such a dish of comfort and pleasure. The chicken dish was homely and rustic and so tasty. The beef probably edged the chicken dish slightly but both were like a hug from Nonna.
The side dish of green beans and onion was again simply cooked but delicious.
Dessert time and I went with the vanilla panna cotta with poached peach, raspberries and a basil granita. Fresh, creamy, soft, sweet and zingy. The couple seated next to us raved about the basil granita whereas I was happy with or without it.
Steve had the plum tart with hazelnut semi freddo. Baked goods like Nonna would make and the semi freddo was soft and creamy and so fragrant with toasty nutty flavours.
We loved our meal at Franco Choo's. Such a great neighbourhood restaurant that is lunderstated, unpretentious and creates platefuls of traditional, tasty goodness.
Steve had the plum tart with hazelnut semi freddo. Baked goods like Nonna would make and the semi freddo was soft and creamy and so fragrant with toasty nutty flavours.
We loved our meal at Franco Choo's. Such a great neighbourhood restaurant that is lunderstated, unpretentious and creates platefuls of traditional, tasty goodness.
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