Qype User (CJCarr…)
Yelp
I lived next to this place for over a year and never went in, put off by the faded décor and unassuming façade. What a mistake that was! The first time I actually tried it I realised what I'd missed out on - wholesome, unpretentious Italian food that comes at an affordable price. Ok, so the interior isn't stunning but it's a homely, relaxed place for a meal either with friends or, as I've seen many people do, simply on your own. The staff are friendly enough (although I think they're all Portuguese rather than Italian, not that it matters) and it's easy to get caught up in conversation with the other customers sitting next to you.
The drinks menu is fairly standard: if you want beer you'll probably end up with Carlsberg and the house wines, whilst perfectly acceptable, aren't anything memorable. The food, however, is pretty good. Served without fuss, their pasta dishes are tasty, filling and half the price you'll be charged in some places across the river. If you're in the mood for secondi piatti, I've found both the veal milanese and the Tournedo Rossini to be great options, especially as they come with a choice of potatoes. Puddings are also worth checking out, particularly as they're one of the few places I've seen to serve Zabaglione.
Since trying it for the first time I've had a couple of really good meals here, something which has certainly taught me not to judge a restaurant by its cover!