Daniela's Lounge

I love this little place - it at once makes me feel like I am sitting in the cafe of a trendy East London gallery and at the same time relaxing in a friend's cozy lounge room listening to a record from their extensive collection or perusing their impressive bookshelf. I get the impression that the latter is closer to the truth.

Daniela herself runs this place and is responsible for the mouth-watering "just like my mum makes" food here (if my mum were a talented Italian cook who thought nothing of throwing together an array of authentic pasta dishes, beautiful fresh veg, yummy chocolate deserts every time I felt a bit peckish). I never steer far from the pasta selection whether it be home-made pumpkin and ricotta ravioli (the fungi ravioli is another must), perfectly crafted gnocchi with smoked Italian sausage and tomato, excellent penne bolognaise, beautiful rigatoni with spring vegetables . . . you get the idea. Daniela's is a master of turning out dishes that taste as good as they look.

To go with my pasta I usually choose a side of veg cooked al-dente with a generous dribble of olive-oil. If I have room, the home-made profitor roles are sinfully delicious. The coffee is excellent (as you would expect form an Italian cafe). I should also mention that should you prefer something more substantial the menu include a choice of veal, steak, chicken dishes all prepared to simple Italian-style recipes, for example a well-seasoned steak with a wedge of lemon. Breakfast here is also great - the only problem is that it is closed on a Sunday. They also do a great take-out service which I admit to using once or twice having invited guests for dinner and not having enough time to cook myself!

The best thing about this place though is the ambience. It's the type of place you could sit for hours nursing a coffee and relaxing in the retro-styled furniture or sit with friends enjoying relaxed conversation.

A definite favoutite!