The exterior of this small family run restaurant in Fulham is unpretentious, and the interior too for that matter, however the food speaks for itself. It is run by Alvaro Maccioni and his family and has been an institution since it opened in 1975. It offers authentic Tuscan food with a wholesome family feeling.
As the doors opened we were greeted by an old Italian man who took our coats and spoke with a thick Italian accent. We were seated in the main restaurant (not the conservatory), which was very sweet and comfortable. The walls were adorned with family photographs, which added to the warm and welcoming feeling. The lighting was slightly too bright for my liking as I was looking for a romantic place to share a meal with my boyfriend. However a bite of my starter and that feeling past post haste.
I began with the Deep Fried Marrow Flowers, which were both sweet and savoury. Truly the stuff of dreams. I then followed with the Fresh Pasta with Wild Boar Sauce. This melted in my mouth. The meat was tender and perfectly seasoned, while the pasta kept a bite. I didn't have room for dessert, which I sorely regretted, but the couple to our left confirmed that their dessert was as good as the rest of their meal.
I later went back to La Famiglia for the set menu on New Years. This comprised of half a lobster, a hearty pasta dish, a starter of perfectly cooked scallops, a glass of champagne and a subtly beautiful dessert. Every single part of the menu made me sigh with happiness. It was steep at £90 a head, but for New Years I was happy to part with the money, and I walked out thinking I would have happily paid double.
I fault this restaurant only on its ambiance. I believe it could stand to be a little more intimate, the food somehow requires it. With that said however this is one of the best places I've ever eaten, and I almost feel bad for finding any fault at all.
It's not cheap and I sadly can't afford to go often, but when asked what my favourite restaurant in London is I often say La Famiglia.
La Famiglia
7 Langton Street
9/10
London, SW10 0JL, United Kingdom
+44 20 7351 0761
www.lafamiglia.co.uk
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