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The Broadway, Crouch End, London N8
The Italian Food Hall - Crouch End
Berry
am 26 November 2008
The Italian Food Hall is a delicatessen and cafe/restaurant with a sleek but comfortable designer interior on the site of the old electricity company. It has a reputation for slow and surly service, but whenever I have been there it has been friendly and laid-back rather than inept. The coffee is rich and frothy (better than the chain places nearby) and it is rather expensive, but worth a look for the decor.
14 Victoria Parade, Broadstairs, Kent CT10
Morelli's Cappuccino - Broadstairs
Berry
am 19 April 2008
Morelli’s ice cream parlour overlooks Viking Bay with its pier, beach huts and summer garden bandstand. Inside it is a step back in time to the fifties (the parlour opened in 1932 but was redecorated in 1957) with a fountain, decorated ceiling, formica, fifties music and lots of pink. I know it is called Morelli’s “cappuccino” but it is a true ice cream parlour, serving perfect sundaes, cups and cones, with unique flavours which change from day to day. Apple crumble is one of my favourites, and strawberries and cream. All the flavours contain real fruits or chocolate or nuts, or, in apple crumble’s case, a sort of ice cream-topping version of crumble. Last summer they celebrated their 100th birthday (of their founding, not this locaton) and gave away free ice creams for a day, so my brother and I leapt on the train from Charing Cross and spent the day trying out every flavour to the tunes of a barrel organ outside the ice cream parlour and a disturbingly kitsch crooner in the bandstand.
It would be very sad, in fact, pretty unbearable a waste of what after all would probably amount to a life horribly deprived of the uttermost joy, to live in this country and not to go there as often as possible. In fact, I am seriously considering either moving to Broadstairs to be close by or becoming rich enough to purchase a franchise for my own parlour. You can buy their ice cream in Harrods, but it really isn’t quite the same.
33 Boswell Street, London WC1N 3BP
Berry
am 17 April 2008
There are a few La Porchettas, all serving extremely large pizzas with lots of toppings. Most have lithe Italian waiters and lively music (although I noticed the newest one in Chalk Farm lacks the cosiness and Italian-ness of the others). This one is the liveliest, smallest and cosiest, hidden down a side street off Queen’s Square and usually crammed with customers in the evenings. It opens after six p.m. and is small, so it’s advisable to book a table. The music is loud but good - usually well-beloved funk, reggae and rock. The pizzas are huge. My favourite is pear and gorgonzola, sounds strange but it’s amazing and you can’t get it anywhere else. Some people can’t eat a whole pizza because they’re so big (the pizzas, not the people). Some people eat huge bowls of mussels, which I find horrible (I tend to retch under the table when that happens), but everything else about the place is wonderful. They do pastas and other Italian dishes, and the desserts include the usual tiramisu, profiteroles and some lovely cakes. Wine is plentiful. All is pretty affordable and the atmosphere lively yet cosy, loud but intimate, busy but friendly.
109 Highgate West Hill, Highgate, London N6 6AP
ristorante paradiso - Hampstead
Berry
am 11 April 2008
This is my favourite restaurant because I cycle here for pizza after a day lounging by Hampstead Heath’s ladies’ pond. My first visit here was one I will never forget. I ordered a pizza with extra artichokes, and received one with anchovies on top. Aghast, I explained to the waiter that I was a vegetarian and that I had said “artichokes” not “anchovies.” After much repetition the waiter relented and took the pizza inside. After a few moments my boyfriend and I heard a loud crash and shouting in an Italian accent, “bloody vegetarians! artichokes! anchovies! vegetarians!” and so on… when all had quietened down, I ventured inside to the toilets downstairs at the back, where there was a bare, dark room, and behind what looked like a cupboard door was continuous, heavy sobbing from a deep male voice…
Nevertheless, having enjoyed the drama of that first visit I became a regular customer! The pizza is perfect, juicy almost, the decor pretty and sunny, and there hasn’t since been anything like the service of my first experience - all has been fast and friendly! Best of all, you can sit outside with a beer and smoke if need be. Hot chocolate quite good here too.
24 Junction Road, London N19 5RE
Berry
am 11 April 2008
This traditional Italian cafe is a welcome refuge from the horrors of Archway. Leap inside, shut the door and breathe a deep sigh of relief as you relax into a bowl of chips, friendly waitresses at your side/beck and call. Hot chocolate is good (always the most important thing in a cafe). They do affordable meals and the interior has a calming Mediteranean feel. There is even a garden at the back, though I’ve only been there in winter. It is very friendly and welcoming, such a contrast to its surroundings!
90 Lambs Conduit Street, Bloomsbury, London WC1N 3LZ
Ciao Bella Restaurant - Bloomsbury
Berry
am 5 April 2008
This restaurant does good, large pizzas and other Italian dishes to the accompaniment of loud and uplifting live piano music. I would recommend sitting outside on summery live music nights if you want to hear your conversation. The music is good and still reaches your ears! Or sit inside for a lively, old fashioned music-and-meal. The food is excellent, atmosphere busy and cheerful. The sort of place you can take family, friends or colleagues to. Good for long pizza lunches too.
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