L’Olivetto

This independent family-run restaurant, owned by head chef Kevin De La Cruz and his wife Shoonagh, front of house, serves up a taste of Italy, combining traditional dishes with a unique twist and using only the finest ingredients sourced locally and from expert Italian vendors.

Rewarded with numerous awards and accolades, along with a loyal customer base, Mossley Hill’s L’Olivetto serves up classics like breadcrumbed pollo Milanese served with spaghetti Napolitana plus specials, which Shoonagh and her team will take you through, along with the best tipple to compliment your choices. For antipasti dishes, think vegetarian arancini risotto balls or insalata tricolore, or the meatier costolette scottadito pork ribs cooked in L’Olivetto’s very own BBQ sauce or even fegato di vitello – pan-fried calves liver with smoked bacon, onions and a sweet balsamic glaze. Under mains, the regularly changing menu sits the likes of red snapper with fennel and fresh herbs alongside steak and chips, and there is a smattering of pizza and plenty of pasta (including gluten-free options), from Puglian-style strascinate with sausage to oven-baked lasagne: homemade Bolognese or vegetable. Sunday lunch is popular – and when it’s gone, it’s gone – there’s a choice of chicken breast, topside of beef, roast lamb, or a mix of the meats, plus veggie Mediterranean tart, all served with roast potatoes and vegetables, carrot and swede mash, homemade Yorkshire puddings and gravy.

There’s not all that much choice on the wine front, but there is Peroni and Moretti in bottles and on draught, plus Malfy Orange gin, from the Amalfi coast below Naples. For afters, there are options the likes of strawberry panna cotta and white chocolate crème brûlée – not a bad way to round off your meal.

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