Taberna Etrusca

My school friends and I were well overdue a long catch-up. Now that we all work in the same part of London we decided on an early dinner at a little Italian restaurant near St. Paul’s: Taberna Etrusca.

This would usually be a little bit outside of our midweek price range, but luckily they accept tastecards, which meant we got 50% off our food – hooray! The restaurant itself looks like a very rustic, traditional Italian restaurant with its crisp white tablecloths, mahogany chairs and framed pictures all over the walls. Just what us pasta-lovers needed on a Thursday evening.

 We started with wine, bread and olives and nibbled and chatted away for ages while the poor waitress attempted to take our main orders. There’s always so much to catch up on these days!

Anyway, eventually we settled on our choices. I went for gnocchi filled with walnuts in a green pea and black peppercorn sauce, smothered in Parmesan. A very unusual choice for me, but one I was very happy with – the walnuts provided a crunchy surprise in what was a very creamy, rich dish, and the black peppercorn really brought some earthiness. It was thoroughly delicious, and I would happily eat it all over again right now! I also had a side of deep-fried courgettes. These have always been one of my absolute favourites and they didn’t disappoint – salty, crunchy and utterly naughty, they were my favourite part of the meal.

 Emily opted for the pork belly, served with mashed potato and savoy cabbage. She’d had this before, so knew she was onto a winner. Although the crispy pork belly was a bit of a mouthful, she happily munched her way through the whole plate. A really hearty meal that she thoroughly enjoyed.

 Bimmie chose the asparagus, chilli, sundried tomato and king prawn pasta with a rocket and Parmesan side salad, and was presented with a portion that was frankly near as big as her. Needless to say, she couldn’t finish it, but she did say that the flavours were yummy and the homemade pasta something that she definitely couldn’t replicate at home – something that is always important to me when I go to a restaurant and order pasta.

 Although the pudding menu looked extremely tempting, we were all stuffed and very happy to continue nattering away over the rest of our wine. All in all, I’d say that the ambience is really lovely (you almost feel like you’re in a little Tuscan tavern), the menu is enormous and definitely has something for everyone, and the food had that rare quality that you only really find in thoroughly traditional Italian eateries. If you’re looking for somewhere for a special dinner with friends, or a cosy date night, this place is perfect – but don’t forget to take your tastecard!

 Overall rating: 8/10

9-11 Bow Churchyard, City of London, London EC4M 9DQ

020 7248 5552