"If you’re not sure what to say when you meet up with someone you haven’t seen in forever, try ‘have you done something to your hair’. We can guarantee it’s either grown, been lovingly attacked with a pair of nail scissors, or dutifully turned stress-grey over the past 12 months. Another excellent conversation starter is ‘look at that view’, a phrase you can definitely crack out at Tavolino. This Italian restaurant overlooks Tower Bridge, has that whole sentimental European rattan terrace thing going on, and is the perfect place to recount your feeble attempts at learning another language circa March 2020 whilst shovelling some spicy nduja and pork ragu tagliatelle in your mouth. The cacio e pepe is also a winner and on the right sunny day you can’t beat the ultimate catch-up combo, river views and top negronis." - heidi lauth beasley
