Enjoying some fine Mediterranean food and wine in relaxed surroundings was the perfect way to spend a warm late summer's evening when I visited Strada in Parsons Green.
I had not previously eaten at this chain of contemporary Italian restaurants, of which there are a number of across the area, where simple, freshly prepared authentic dishes is served.
Therefore I was excited when invited to try their celebration of the Mediterranean diet, considered one of the healthiest on the planet, with a special three course menu plus wine tasters to match.
Italians have been eating this way for generations, combining a diet of fresh fruit, vegetables, olive oil, seafood and poultry with a touch of dairy and the occasional glass of wine.
I was immediately impressed by the buzz of the busy Parsons Green restaurant with its smart glass conservatory frontage, leading to a long narrow wood panelled dinning area, given a greater illusion of space by the use of mirrors running down either side.
The open fronted kitchen with its glowing pizza oven is also an attractive and authentic feature.
I started with the Antipasto Misto a rustic combination of typical Italian meats semi-dried tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and olives served with a vegetable tartar and some yummy olive bread. Attractively presented on a large slate plater it was a tasty and moreish way to start the evening.
My partner Fiona, had the Insalata Parma e Pera another fresh and flavoursome dish of spinach, radicchio, Williams pears and parmesan shavings in a rosemary and balsamic dressing finished with parma ham.
This was matched with a glass of refreshing, light and bubbly Prosecco Brut Doc which with its strong hints of fruit sat well with the starters.
For mains my fish of the day came in the form of a well cooked trout, first quickly pan fried and then baked in the oven with herbs. Served whole the well seasoned moist fish fell off the bone and a simple side salad was all that was further required to deliver a tasty and healthy plate of food.
Fiona's Risotto Gamberri e Limone was a well-balanced fresh tasting dish, with plenty of juicy melt in the mouth prawns and just about the right level of lemon juice and zest to give it a refreshing tang on the palette.
The dishes were accompanied by a Gavi di Gavi doc fresh dry white wine full of citrus fruit and a Montepulciano Cerasuolo Doc fruity medium bodied red from central Italy – both which were highly drinkable choices.
There was still room for me to indulge in a creamy 'perfectly wobbly' pannacotta to which I poured over a sweet honey vin santo, and jolly tasty it all was.
Fiona's sweet tooth was satisfied with her Fragole al Vino - a desert of fresh summer strawberries in a red wine, lemon juice and sugar syrup with strawberry ice cream.
A glass of Vin Santo del Chianti Doc was served with the deserts. Although a perfectly acceptable nutty flavoured wine it was a bit too sweet and syrupy for my liking.
It was, however, an enjoyable way to round off our Mediterranean experience, which Strada delivers at highly affordable prices, and made all the more pleasant by the charming staff and efficient service from start to finish.
The cost of our meal would have worked out at under £25 each for the three courses, without wine.
Visitors to www.strada.co.uk will find an entire section dedicated to ‘Championing the Mediterranean Diet,’ featuring a downloadable booklet with helpful information, hints and tips, an illustrated eating guide and a video with insight from the British Dietetic Association and Institute of Food Research. There are also recipe cards, competitions and details of the new menu inspired by the simple ingredients of the Mediterranean diet.
