Vicino Restaurant Review: London’s Best Lobster and Italian Classics Heaven at Vicino in Parsons Green

Lobster, pasta, cheese and tiramisu – four things in my opinion which make Italian food great and timeless. A cuisine which has been loved by not just the British, but the entire world. It can be simple and sometimes complex, but no matter what – it’s always so satisfying. When people have to confess their desert island dish they always think of something obscure – but really we’re all thinking Italian. Well I know I am anyway.

Admittedly I’ve been to Vicino before. It was about two years ago and back then I liked it, but I didn’t fall in love with it and I had no real ambition to go back. I’m not sure what has changed, but this time round and I already can’t wait to return – especially as I live just a very short walk away. While Vicino is known for and specialises in lobster, they serve other great and classic dishes too. The homemade bread is a nice touch and the service is spot on. We started with a bottle of pinot grigio, fresh burrata with smoky grilled vegetables and a picture perfect plate of beef carpaccio, topped with rocket and shaved parmesan. Two very good ways to kick off our dinner.

Words going without saying what the best part of our meal words, with Vicino proudly doing its signature dish justice – lobster. An absolutely stunning whole lobster, vibrantly marked and is flesh incredibly tender. Meat from the claws had already been removed for ease and the whole dish and its fresh pasta were covered in white wine, garlic, butter and tons of chilli. It was such an enjoyable dish and priced at just under £30 – a bit of a bargain. When I return – it will be for this. The breaded veal escalope with spaghetti pomodoro was tasty enough and my dining companion raved on its perfectly golden crispy crumb

Dessert were actually really good too. They weren’t complex or fussy, but homely and well-made. You can’t really ask for any more in a good Italian. The house tiramisu was well-portioned, rich, had just the right balance of coffee – though a bit of extra alcohol wouldn’t have gone a miss, but that’s just the alcoholic in me. Passion fruit cheesecake was even better still. Thick, creamy and a little tart on the finish. The biscuit base had a good texture too with just the right  density to fork apart with ease. A really lovely way to end our meal, washed down with a single espresso or two.

While I may not have been blown away those couple of years ago on my first visit to Vicino, they’ve done themselves proud two years later, serving up classic Italian dishes with love and care – never leaving flavour or quality behind. The prices are very affordable too. If you’re looking for an Italian to perhaps not change your life, but satisfy your every need – Vicino couldn’t be a better choice. You could even pop across the road for a bottle of wine in the park afterwards. Shortly after you’ve devoured a lobster or two that is.

I was invited to review