Italian Taste

Charming Italian Gem in the Heart of Surbiton

Nestled in the heart of Surbiton, this cozy Italian café offers an eclectic experience that veers from exhilaratingly lovely to occasionally bizarre. As I entered, I was greeted by a quaint and spotless interior, accented with sprightly European charm—a rarity among local haunts. The whiff of freshly brewed coffee commingled with the warm scent of baked pastries, providing an inviting entry. Despite my keen critical eye, I found myself entranced by the enticing selection of pastas and paninis. The coveted ribeye steak—inarguably, the pièce de résistance—was nothing short of a culinary spectacle, its succulence lingering long after the last bite.

Yet the establishment's aura is sometimes marred by tales of mercurial service and less-than-divine beverages—a burnt coffee here, a stale croissant there—reminding us that even culinary gems have their blemishes. While a patron's altercation with a ponytailed proprietor streaks the portrait with less appealing colors, friendly interactions elsewhere suggest a genuine, if variable, attempt at benevolence. When stars align, the essence of Italian warmth and a family-style embrace can be grasped; it is those glimpses that persuade patrons like me—and perhaps you—to return for another dance with fate in the aisles of Italy transposed to south London. — Audrey Al Dente