The "P" Word

"When you first walk into Neroteca you would be forgiven for mistaking that you just walked into a delicatessen in New York or Rome. There are huge windows that let in natural light and shelves that stretch from floor to ceiling stacked with wine, water and all things Italian. Strings of air-dried sausages adorn the bar counter and what I like most of all is the heady aroma of freshly baked bread and unmistakable smokiness of grilled pork. The menu is comprehensive with a good selection of hearty soups, salads and sandwiches. The servings are generous and the flavours robust. Enjoy a hearty cagliata soup of red lentils and cotechino sausages or a plate of parma ham with rockmelon while you relax with your friends over a bottle of prosecco. And if you think a salad is not a meal, think again. The Piemontese salad has romaine lettuce, slices of grilled marinated chicken, mushroom trifolati (mushroom sautéed and steeped in oil, garlic and parsley), slivers of semi-dried parma ham, tomatoes, grilled vegetables and parmesan cheese tossed in a creamy caper vinaigrette. Never have I had a more satisfying salad. The philosophy here is simple, to serve up no-frills rustic Italian home cooking. And the best part about this place is that you can pick up all sorts of goodies for a meal for one to a slap-up dinner party. "

Excerpt from review for a local mag which is yet to be published. Pay me already!