La Collina

This place is small and feels authentic and homely, like places we've eaten in Italy. A selection of breads with fresh and grassy olive oil, a very light vegetable minestrone soup (without pasta or tomatoes thank goodness) and rich parmigiana di melanzane started us off, followed by a whole sea bass baked in sea salt for each of us, with green beans and spinach on the side and a bottle of Sardinian white made an excellent dinner. Not ground breaking, just enjoyable.

Looking at the previous reviews for this restaurant, let's be clear: it changed hands last year, and it is a vast improvement. We went on a hot day last week just after 6 o'clock and we were immediately shown into the garden at th back. For the next hour, we were the only ones in the restaurant; let's face it, who else is mad enough to eat at 6pm, unless, like us, you'd skipped lunch. So service for us was great. By the time we finished the meal, the restaurant had started to fill up, and I suspect it is full nearly every night. This means one thing: the food is good. It was still very hot in the garden, so we started with Vitello Tonnato and the Cold sliced suckling pig. Now, I know they both feature cold sliced meat; if I'd have known I'd be reviewing the restaurant, I would have chosen something hot to start. Never mind, they were both delicious. Then we had Spaghetti with Lobster: half a darling with the most delicious tomato sauce. Needless to say it went everywhere: if the next door table had been filled, it would have coated them, too. And a Veal Milanesa. Now, we're hot on Milanesas in our house: my other half comes from Argentina, where it's a benchmark. This nearly filled the plate (good sign) and certainly came up to scratch (sometimes it's not Veal, but here it was) and the biggest mistake we made was not to order a side dish of potatoes. Two courses with wine came to £88.50 plus service. That still keeps it in the neighbourhood price bracket. Now that Sarde Canale has gone, this is a great Italian restaurant to have on your doorstep.

Lovely Italian restaurant. I have been at ‘La Collina ’ for a special occasion and we have enjoyed till the last second. Thank you to all the staff for their hospitality. Food is delicious. Strong raccomanded!!

Having read the square meal review we booked a table – big mistake. Food was very disappointing especially the pasta – if an Italian restaurant can't cook pasta then you might as well go home ! The waiters were very amateur and the manager was not very concerned that the food was not up to standard. Even though 1 starter and 1 main course was taken off the bill, for 5 people ,with 1 bottle of wine and only 2 courses – the bill was £45 pp – too much ! !

This is a handy local, serving what I think could best be characterised as “correct” Italian cooking. The young lady who seems to manage front of house is friendly and attentive, but not very adequately supported by other waiting staff who often seem unable to speak English, however willing they may be. My wife and I have eaten here a number of times, alone, with kids, with friends… The food is authentic and restrained, the wine list has something for everyone. Starters such as grilled vegetables with burrata were good, the mussels generous. Last time I tried the ossobucco it was tough, but this time it fell off the bone, and the traditional risotto as it should be. The prices as really quite modest taken in the round and the atmosphere can be really quite good, if a bit cramped. I prefer to sit at the back on the ground floor, or below that at garden level, but not at the front by the door – a bit too much traffic. Oh, and if you like to celebrity spot, the restaurant is only about 150 yards from where the Foreign Sec lives, and the time before last that we went, Lord Mandelson was there too.