I like old Carluccio, I like his passion and I like his food and I share his love of wild mushrooms. In fact it’s thanks to his books on mushroom collection and cooking that I have safely foraged these last few years.

Well the now the grand old man of Italian cooking has moved into Wimbledon where ladies who lunch are thick on the ground

It’s his usual combination of caffè, restaurant, alimentari foodshop and deli and will be open all day, offering customers everything from a cooked breakfast, morning coffee and light lunch to a shopping pit-stop or a three course meal with wine in the evening.

Using seasonal ingredients, many sourced direct from Italy, typical mains include a range of homemade pasta such as linguine al frutti di mare (fresh linguine squid rings, mussels and prawns) and the classic ossobuco alla Milanese (braised shin of veal with tomato sauce, served with a creamy saffron risotto). It’s not a bad price either, on average three courses with a glass of wine will set you back £15.

The new caffè features rustic light oak flooring, pale blue banquettes, Ingo Maurer pendant lighting, a high quartz-topped bar and a community table for ten,

Carluccio’s works with small, artisan producers all over Italy to source its olive oils, vinegars, pastas, sauces, rice, wines, biscuits, chocolates and other specialist food products. In the deli there’s a selection of fresh salamis, cheese, salads, olives, tarts and baked food items as well as a range of take-away dishes

Carluccio’s, 25 High Street, Wimbledon Village SW19 5DX

www.carluccios.com

MENU DELLA CASA AVAILABLE FROM MARCH 1ST

Fixed Price Menu

2 COURSES £9.95

3 COURSES £12.95

PRIMI

Pate Di Fegatini Di Pollo

Homemade chicken liver pate

with toasted Italian bread and cornichons

Bruschetta

Ripe tomatoes with herbs, roasted peppers

and extra virgin olive oil on toasted Toscano bread

Focaccia All’aglio

Chargrilled garlic bread

SECONDI

Homemade Ravioli

Filled with spinach and ricotta, served with butter and sage

Penne alla Luganica

Tubes of pasta with a rich and spicy Italian sausage sauce

Milanese di Pollo

Breast of chicken flattened, bread-crumbed and fried,

served with a green salad

DOLCI

Panna Cotta

Vanilla and rum set cream with candied orange peel

Tiramisu

Savoiardi biscuits, espresso and coffee liqueur with mascarpone

Mandarin and Melon Sorbet

or any other ice cream combination

Add a large glass of Sicilian Sicani wine for £3.50