Review of 'Spuntino (NOW CLOSED)'

An interesting new addition to the Soho restaurant scene. We first found out about Spuntino with an article in TimeOut regarding it. The description was enough for us to seek it out…

The location is very…interesting. Found opposite sex shops in the heart of Soho on Rupert street you could very easily miss the understated sign on the outside. We had been told to expect crowds (they do not take reservations) so we visited early in the evening (5) - A good choice as we were able to grab a seat immediately.

Inside the bare brick walls and worn-looking interior is filled with a stainless steel bar surrounded by close-packed stools (and a small table in the back). Obviously they are going a bit for the gimmicky look of a New York/American diner but this is a bit more understated in my book.

The menu is the important thing to me and this one is quite interesting. Drinks are listed on the left and right and are nothing terribly surprising. All of the dishes are quite inexpensive but small for the money. I had a “slider” (small, wonderfully formed hamburgers) of “ground beef and bone marrow” (£4.50) which was wonderful - Very meaty and fantastically tender (they also had “spiced mackerel” - £4.50 - “lamb & pickled cucumber” - £5 - “Brick Lane salt beef, dilly pickle & Colman's” - £4.50). I also ordered a side of “eggplant chips, fennel yoghurt” (£4) which was also amazing - Very tender, not greasy with the lovely anise-y yoghurt dip (small serving though). My dinner companion ordered “zucchini, chilli & mint pizzetta” (£6) which was a wonderfully thin crunchy crust pizza with a thin layer of cheese and mint - Delicious. Her side was “shoestring fries” (£3) which were wonderfully thin and, again, not very greasy. For dessert we could not pass up on the “peanut butter & jelly sandwich” (£6.50) which consisted of two very rich slices of peanut butter ice cream with a layer of wonderfully fresh berry compote between covered with a sprinkling of crushed peanuts. Simply incredible!

Service was very good and friendly in the small, crowded interior (we found ourselves often rubbing ourselves against people sitting on stools beside us). It seems that Spuntino would be great for a quick snack or light meal if you are in the area. The portion sizes are not huge and the drink menu is quite reasonably priced.

We are definitely coming back to try other items on the menu that caught our eye! We have heard the “Mac & cheese” (£8 - macaroni noodles with cheese and a crunchy crust of breadcrumbs) is quite good…

Rating: “Nearly perfect, but not quite”

Review Date: 2011-03-29

Cuisine: American/British

Address: 61 Rupert Street, Soho, London, W1D 7PW ENGLAND

Public Transport: Piccadilly

Location: London (England) - Soho

Map:

Telephone:

URL: http://spuntino.co.uk/