Butler’s Wharf is an area of London I have not explored before, in fact I didn’t know it existed until last month. Illuminated by the lights along the river, we wandered across the bridge and through the historic streets to Cantina del Ponte, an atmospheric Italian restaurant offering rustic and reasonably priced traditional food in a relaxed environment.

We had a fun time at Cantina, the waiters are amicable jokers and made an effort to ensure we had a lovely meal. We were initially seated at the bar and offered the cocktail list, all of which they promised were delicious, but the mojito came with particular recommendation. My sister, too young to have a proper cocktail, chose a fruity strawberry alternative from the non-alcoholic section, while I ordered a mojito. The enthusiastic barman diligently made our drinks for us and presented two stylish glasses. My mojito was expertly mixed and had an amazing taste. After trying her drink though, my sister made a strange expression, I proceeded to taste her cocktail which instead of strawberry tasted distinctly of tomato juice. We alerted the embarrassed barman who apologised profusely and made another drink immediately. This would have been fine but later in the meal it happening again, when the very berry cocktail turned up as a extremely spicy bloody mary… my poor sister thought she had been jinxed! The same mix up twice would have been irritating anywhere else but at Cantina they were so sweet we couldn’t help but just find it funny.

The menu is clear and focuses on simple Italian classics. To start we chose tomato soup with croutons and warm goats cheese with chilli jam & homemade focaccia bread. My sister had the soup and seemed delighted with its comforting thick texture and sweet creamy tomato flavour. It was a very big portion and even with her insatiable appetite couldn’t finish it all. My starter was disappointing, the different components placed clumsily on the plate, a nice enough piece of warmed cheese but with a slightly stale bit of bread, a dollop of ketchup-like chilli jam and a few salad leaves.

Our mains were of a much higher standard. My homemade Tortelloni with ricotta, spinach and butter and sage sauce was typically Italian, and tasted fresh and delicious. The sauce was plate-licking worthy – a sage infused golden butter jus, it was divine. My sister loved her homemade lasagne, a rich meaty and tomato mix laced with a wonderfully delicate béchamel – a very filling and wholesome dish, though I thought perhaps it could have been complemented with a little salad on the side.

With my dessert I tried a caipirinha cocktail which was one of the best I’ve tasted, zesty and sweet it was made with exact measures, and was a refreshing drink with which to finish the meal. Continuing with my quest to find the perfect panna cotta I tried their rose flavoured version. It was made with too much gelatine, I presume, because the texture was more like jelly. My sister chose the raspberry semifreddo, chocolate & strawberry sauce… the semi freddo was lovely, a light creamy ice cream nicely flavoured, though I felt the chocolate and strawberry sauce were unnecessary and overwhelmed the elegant flavour of the main dessert.

Cantina would be lovely for a light summer meal in the warmer months; there is a large canopy outside so guests can enjoy their meal al fresco by the river. For a bowl of pasta and a high calibre cocktail this restaurant is ideal.

Visit the Cantina del Ponte website here for more information and to book here.