Italian restaurants in London abound, but The River Café is in a class by itself. For more than 20 years, the River Café has been serving up the best and freshest kind of seasonal rustic Italian cooking.

Owners Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers were pioneers when they started, their restaurant was one of the first to launch the trend of using fresh, seasonal and locally sourced ingredients that has now become a hallmark of the new British food scene. Their kitchen has trained and nurtured a number of influential chefs, most notably Jamie Oliver.

A kitchen fire in 2008 launched off an extensive £2 million renovation, and the River Café emerged in a modern colour scheme of white and blues.

A large wood-burning oven dominates one end of the room, while the open kitchen runs along one whole wall, lined with a beautiful green glass serving counter. The opposite wall has large glass windows that open onto the grassy al fresco dining area that makes the restaurant such a wonderful spot to while away a pleasant day.

The menu changes twice a day, reflecting the restaurant’s reverence for fresh produce. Whatever you get, you know it will be made from only the freshest seasonal ingredients available. At the River Café, the ingredients are the real stars of the show; everything is cooked to accentuate the peak flavour of each food.

Even something as simple as bruschetta is made special by using a fine cold-pressed olive oil. Scottish Scallops are expertly seared and served with a medley of slow-cooked beans. Spaghetti is paired with Devon crab, fennel and chilies to make a rich and buttery delight. Turbot is wood-roasted and served with grilled Swiss chard and beetroot.

The cheeses are a wonder; the restaurant has their own cheese room and the choices include Italian goat cheeses, sheep’s milk blue cheese, and other types of both hard and soft varieties.

Desserts are a must, the Chocolate Nemesis is unbelievably rich, the various fruit tarts are lovely, and the Caramel Ice Cream is delightful.

Italian restaurants in London have to reach high to meet the fine standard set by the River Café.

Visiting The River Café

Address: Thames Wharf, Rainville Road, W6 9HA

Telephone: 020 7386 4200

Opening Times

Lunch Monday to Friday 12:30-14:15, Saturdays 12:30-14:30, Sundays 12:00-15:00 | Dinner Monday to Thursday 19:00-21:00, Fridays & Saturdays 19:00-21:15

Pricing

Main courses £25-£30

Photo courtesy: Wolfiewolf

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