Cucina Asellina was unusually quiet for a Saturday morning, this new Italian eatery on the Strand was the location selected for my monthly brunch meeting with two girlfriends. It was the ideal place for a girly meal with charming Italian waiters and sensational food, all housed within a contemporary, attractively designed venue.
Based on the popular restaurant in New York, Cucina Asellina brings artisanal home-cooking inspired by the traditional flavours and textures of simple Italian cuisine reminiscent of a humble Mediterranean kitchen. It is difficult to fault the tempting menu of classic Meditteranean food and the ridiculously reasonable lunch offers (two courses for £15 or three courses for £19). This Spring, Cucina Asellina is celebrating the bank holiday weekend, with the introduction of its tavolata menu – taking inspiration from the traditional Italian style of dining, which brings family and friends together, centred around a great feasting table. A relaxed dining experience, the tavolata menu offers a variety of Italian sharing dishes, which will be presented in large bowls, allowing guests to serve one another. Priced from £26 for a minimum of two people, this includes a main of pasta, breads and salads. Highlights from the menu include: Square spaghetti, pomodoro, fresh basil and olive oil; Lemon and rosemary organic chicken, truffle crushed potatoes, pancetta and braised cabbage; Saffron strozzapretti, prawns, spinach and butternut squash and Oven baked wild Italian asparagus and pecorino lasagne.
Suffering from various woes, our appetites were all diminished slightly so we made a conscious effort not to over-order, instead picking a few starters to share and a pair of main courses to taste. Stuffed Cerignola Olives with Roasted Veal, Mortadella, Parmigiano with a Semolina crust arrived first to accompany our sparkling bellinis, the perfect appetisers. Next the starters came in a flurry of activity… Oven baked aubergine tortino with fresh ricotta and cheese fonduta, Calamari Fritti, with tomato relish and fresh marjoram and a cheese & meat selection. My favourite was the aubergine and tomato dish, intensely flavoured and appealingly gooey, it was very moreish. The array of neatly arranged cheese and salami tasted fresh off a plane from Italy, presented beautifully with garlicky oil and soft bread.
For second course we opted for Burrata Ravioli with dried tomatoes, infused balsamico and fresh oregano and an indulgent pizza topped with Prosciutto di S.Dadiele, Black Truffle, Fontina & Rucola. The black triangle ravioli was striking and wonderful, stuffed with vibrantly flavoured ingredients and smothered in a gorgeous butter and sage sauce. Ravioli is my ultimate Italian dish, and this was among the best I have tasted. The rustic pizza arrived on a wooden board, crispy and fresh overflowing with toppings. I found the truffle a little overpowering, shadowing the more delicate rocket taste, but the base was satisifyingly crispy.
We didn’t manage to be so scrupulous at dessert time, picking two of the recommended favourites to gorge on despite feeling rather full. The tiramisu was, as they suggested, the best in town… a truly perfect pudding – the contrasting components stacked in a glass tumbler, a fluffy rich cream with a delightful coffee soaked base, topped with dark chocolate shavings and on the side a scrumptious homemade Amaretto ice-cream. The Grappa pannacotta with honey roast pears was less impressive… I found the texture too smooth and was disappointed with the bland flavour.
Cucina Asellina offers stunning simple and seasonal Italian food, just as it should be. The perfect restaurant for any occasion.
336-337 Strand, Aldwych, London WC2 (020 7395 3445).
More information here.