Terranostra Cucina
Italiana - an authentic taste of
Sardinia
Terranostra Cucina Italiana
27
Old Bailey
London EC4
Tel: 020 3201 0077
A stone’s throw from the
Old Bailey lies Terranostra Cucina
Italiana, an authentic taste of
Sardinia in a setting as far removed
from that island as one can imagine.
The interior is unpretentious with
simple décor, deep polished
wood tables and chairs and modern
art on the walls. When we visited,
it was packed with the suited-and-booted
brigade taking a very long lunch.
There was also an extremely large
party made up totally of Italians,
which had to be an encouraging
sign. The dining room is cozy;
my only grumble being the tables
were a little on the small side.
The ambience is warm and lively,
so not somewhere to come for an
intimate chat a deux - more a place
to enjoy with a few mates while
joining in the general merriment.
However in the evening I suspect
the atmosphere would be more laid
back and quiet.
To begin, a large basket of tempting
breads was offered, including the
Sardinian speciality - Carta di
musica - a form of exceptionally
large and crunchy and crispbread.
The menu has plenty to entice.
We shared a stunning fish platter
for two to start (talleri di pesce)
which included calamari, raw tuna
with caramelised onions and balsamic
vinegar, punchy marinated anchovies,
cured swordfish and smoky infused
salmon. This was a pleasure to
eat; served artistically on an
oaked marbled platter Every bite
was sensational, with each pungent
flavour holding its own on the
palate.
To follow, again there was plenty
to tempt. I tried the linguini,
served with plenty of fresh crab
and a touch of chilli which added
a bit of a welcome kick. The escalope
of veal was cooked perfectly, being
full of flavour with a pepper and
lemony bite. It arrived seared
and glistening with an appetising
aroma and was served with perfect
sautéed potatoes and spinach.
There are plenty of well priced
Sardinian and Italian wines to
choose from. We tried a rich and
oaky Sardinian Grotta Rosa 2005,
very reasonably priced at £20
a bottle.
For pudding there was a short
but tempting choice of Italian
favourites. We shared a warm chocolate
and almond cake which arrived in
small diamond slices on a glass
plate accompanied by fresh raspberries
and vanilla ice cream. Other desserts
included tiramisu and panna cotta.
Terranostra Cucina Italiana is
very popular and it’s easy
to see why. It provides unpretentious
but seriously good cooking using
quality ingredients, served up
with genuine hospitality. And its
reasonable prices makes it stand
out from the crowd in an area with
little else to entice.
Louise Elgin. January
2008.
A meal for two with wine and water
is around £80.00.
