I’ve heard good reports about Bucci restaurant in Balham. Described as a favourite local Italian restaurant often and recommended widely. I was therefore looking forward to trying it out and tonight we did. Our reservation was at 8.30pm and we, unusually, were on time!

I was so pleased that we’d booked a table as when we arrived there wasn’t a seat to be had in the place. Obviously a very popular choice. There was a large party of Italians on two of the big tables – clearly a family gathering of some sort as the ages ranged from a few weeks old to Papa! What became evidently clear however was that this family had priority in the restaurant tonight.

We quickly ordered a bottle of wine from the comprehensive wine list… not too many but a great selection to choose from. Shortly after the wine arrived we sought out a waitress to order our food. Orders placed we waited, watched and chatted amongst ourselves. It was quite some time when we needed to replenish the wine on our table and it was at this time that we started to hear our tummies rumbling. Service was slow to our table but I was able to see that the family party were being well catered for! It didn’t really matter except that we were now very very hungry and getting a little pissed! Somewhat annoyingly after waiting for an hour and a half from when we ordered our starters I had to approach the ‘serving’ area to find a waitress and ask how much longer we would need to wait before our starters arrived. Told a few minutes I went back to the table. Some minutes later another waitress approached our table and asked if we were waiting for our main courses – she seemed somewhat surprised when I said we were STILL waiting for our starters! Another bottle of wine was ordered. Disappointing that there wasn’t any apologies for the delay.

Following this our starters arrived and shortly after clearing the plates away, our mains. We were offered desserts and coffees relatively quickly afterward too…. but by then the large family party had left the restaurant (as had many of the other diners). It wasn’t long until we were the only ones in the restaurant.

What a shame the food took so long to arrive and we felt somewhat neglected by the staff. The food was fabulous. We all commented that our choice of dishes was exactly as we’d wanted. Great flavours, good portion sizes and, tasting, authentically Italian.

I’m sure we will return… but perhaps not on a busy Saturday evening!

I was a late developer… to foodie markets! It was years of being in London before I discovered Borough Market. I’m pleased to say it was before the hoards of tourists and out of towners who now make it a weekend destination but still I was very late to the party.

I was introduced several months ago to Brixton Markets. Allegedly going to be the new ‘Borough’ for foodies ‘in the know’. I’m not sure it’s yet there but for me it reminded me of overseas trips to busy undercover markets. Where food stalls adjoin shops selling dishcloths. Upcycled furniture next to second hand ‘tat’. I worry that it’s loosing it’s identity in order to become the foodie destination that in fact everyone is seeking. Rather than filling the units with artisan and authentic outlets, it may be a little too chi-chi and sell over priced olive oils! I’m quite sure that it will be a destination soon but for me, it’s not quite yet.

So I was delighted when a friend was staying for the weekend and suggested we visit Maltby Market. Again a foodie destination and unsure what we were to find there, we arrived hungry and ready to sample some deliciousness. Now don’t tell everyone about it though. It’s currently a delightful small market that has just the right level of bustling going on. Stalls, stands and small outlets hidden in the railway arches serving a good all-round selection of delicious goodies to eat there. Several outside tables and chairs with a constant stream of users enjoying the fayre purchased. It had a wonderful feel about it. We said we felt a little less trendy than most of the other visitors but what we all had in common, was an obvious enjoyment of the wares on offer. We walked up through the market resisting the urge to sample everthing on our journey. Al had seen a TV program with Tom Kerridge who had waxed lyrical about the salt beef and pastrami sandwiches sold there and we were determined that this should be ‘lunch of choice’. Well it’d be rude of us not to check them out….

Served with imported cherry soda and cream soda drinks. Fabulous. We chose the ‘Reuben’ which was a combination of pastrami and salt beef in toasted bread with a side of pickle and coleslaw. We also felt a need to try some Latkes which are Jewish potato rosti – thoroughly recommended. They were huge sandwiches, so I’m pleased we chose to share one and the Latkes between us… meaning that we were still able to sample some more on our return back down the market.

There were items to sell and take away with you but the majority of the stalls were serving goodies that you wanted to eat immediately. Helped of course by the Spring sunshine and general weekend-ness, I’m sure. I shall definitely return to the market for some weekend brunching and munching.

In some of the neighbouring arches there are also a selection of vintage furniture, clothing and objects for sale. Fun stuff and great selection.

Al needed to fill up his stock of Monmouth Coffee so this required braving it and heading to Borough Market. My gin also needed replenishing and the Whisky shop at the back of Leithwaites kindly stocks my favourite, The Botonist.

Fortunately only a short walk away and knowing exactly where we needed to be in the market was quickly navigated and out of there. Wow that place was heaving!

A short bus ride up to Liverpool Street and a short walk through to Spitalfields Market. Again a busy destination for a sunny Spring day but none the less fun and full of goodies. Certainly not as foodie nor as busy as Borough. By this time though our feet were tired of lots of walking and our heads were fairly tired of people so we didn’t stay long and quickly found a spot to sit in the sunshine with a cold refreshing beer.

Our final stop was the furniture store, Interior Addict, who produce reproduction versions of designer pieces of furniture and lighting. What an incredible selection and despite their substantially cheaper cost by purchasing reproduction rather than original, they are still fairly luxury items. There were however various pieces that I fell in love with and could visualise in an apartment far trendier than my own…. I shall dream some more!

Time to head home and rest our feet – G&Ts in hand!

I confessed to dinner on Saturday (when perhaps I should have been juicing).  Well I figured that I should let you know where we went.  My friend, Linda, celebrated her 50th birthday last year at a sister restaurant and had a wonderful meal, wonderful ambiance and most importantly, a wonderful celebration.  So this year she decided to celebrate her 50+1 in Tartufo.  She chose the venue last year because it was ‘private dining’ ie where you host your party in a private room but with restaurant service and menu.  We were to be in the Cocteau room.

Sadly I missed her birthday celebration last year so was new this to chain of ‘private dining’ venues.  I was however excited to find somewhere new to host parties and importantly, somewhere that was tried, tested and recommended.

Linda, being ever efficient, sent us all the menu choices some weeks ago.  I thought the options looked great and varied to suit most palates.  Great!

Then we received an email from Linda talking about the wines.  She had been sent the wine list and was more than a little disappointed.  The selection was fairly non-descript but even more disappointing was that even the cheapest of wines was a ridiculous price.  Obviously we all understand that there’s always a mark-up when you drink wine in a restaurant compared to buying a bottle in a retail outlet.  But one particular ‘average’ wine caught our eye… usually £8-10 in a supermarket.  £20-25 in a restaurant.  £45 in Tartufo!!!  Come-on!  Really?   All of them were similar.  So either we drink bad wine, pay a fortune or go teetotal.

Linda checked what would be the cost if we bought our own wines.  How much would they charge for corkage?  Hmmm £25 per bottle!

Oh well, it’s a birthday celebration – some people bought their own wine and others drank a glass of wine with dinner.  I made the decision that instead, and as I’m on a juicing regimen (ahem) that I’d drive and drink only water.  Well I didn’t think I could be THAT bad!

So we all arrived on time at 7.30pm and made our way downstairs to the restaurant area only to be ushered back upstairs and asked to take a drink before dinner in the bar.  Usually not a problem but I think perhaps another ploy for Tartufo to charge us ridiculous prices.  Despite there being a bar that we could order our drinks from, we were told that they had to bring the drinks to us and that a service charge of 12% would be added to the drinks order.  Someone asked if they could just have the drinks at the bar but was told that the 12% would be difficult to deduct!  A half of lager cost £8 + service, so I dread to think how much the wine or G&Ts were.

I can see no other reason, other than another source of income, for our being sent to the bar.  We were a private party with a private room with dinner and wine and a start time of 7.30!

When eventually we were allowed downstairs, I was pleased to see the private room was beautifully set.  Each place had a place-card with our name and the menu we had chosen on it.

The floral centrepiece was one that Linda had created herself and looked stunning.

Tartufo offer a range of set meal options.  We had originally thought we’d have 4 courses however had finally chosen 3 courses so that those who had to run for trains home didn’t get stuck in London or without a course!

My meal was delicious, tasty and well thought out.  The portions were ladylike – fine for me on a diet not so fine for any of the gentlemen diners!

The service was slow and scant.  Only when plates were arriving or leaving the table did there seem to be any waiters present.  A few of the waiters clearly were having a bad day or perhaps had a bad attitude as felt it necessary, for example, to put wine glasses onto the table with a heavy hand and a huff!

I’m not sure what time it was when they asked us to leave our private dining room and move to the drawing room upstairs.  Sounds reasonable as they wanted to get in and clear the room?  When we got upstairs we found the ‘drawing room’ freezing cold with the door open, the fire not lit and feeling quite uncomfortable.  I closed the door and asked if we could have the fire lit.  The door was opened again and I was told that no fire can be lit after 11pm in this hotel.  Needless to say this drew our evening to a quick close.

I would love to recommend Tartufo private dining but quite simply can’t.  The idea of private dining locations in London where you can arrange a dinner (at a ‘reasonable’ cost) for friends but without the washing up or needing a house extension are to be encouraged.  However sadly Tartufo isn’t the venue to use!