Tastes of Lombardy
Now for something totally different. The cuisine of Lombardy, offal and veg-a-plenty, is brought to life at Getti.
With the increasing interest in Italian regional cooking, we might finally be waving goodbye to the spag bol, onesizefits-all trat. Andrea Restelli, head chef at Jermyn Street's Getti, has put together a menu celebrating Lombardy, his birthplace. Earthy and highly flavoured, Lombardian food is quite distinct from the cooking of its neighbouring regions.
The locals' love of offal and veg is highlighted, with dishes such as Casola (sausages and pork ribs with Savoy cabbage) and trippa alla Milanese (pork tripe cooked with onions, carrots, celery, garlic and wine). The menu runs throughout November and costs £19.50 for two courses, £22.50 for three.
16/17 Jermyn Street SW1. Tel: 020 7734 7334. Tube: Green Park
Half-term always reminds us of how much we long for decent, childfriendly restaurants. Belgo might offer a solution: free meals for children - up to two children under 12 with every adult ordering a main course - and they entertain the treasures, too.
They're given a mini menu/activity pack with crayons and, when they've finished their meal, one of the monk's habit-clad waiters will give them a chef's hat and a tour of the open kitchens, plus a home-made ice cream cone.
For the list of participating restaurants call Belgo Centraal on 020 7813 2233 or Belgo Noord on 020 7267 0718.
The Lonsdale has won awards as best bar, but the food element at this stylish Notting Hill hang-out shouldn't be overlooked. The menu of small tapas-y dishes - one's a snack, apparently, and four a feast - devised by head chef William Cooper, is far better than it needs to be in this kind of hipster environment.
Formerly only available at dinner, now you can try his intriguing, seasonal dishes at lunchtime: cepe and aubergine tart with parmesan cream; the divine-sounding sausage roll of guinea fowl and foie gras; warm vanilla rice pudding with poached autumn fruits. Prices from £3 to £11.50.
48 Lonsdale Road W11. Tel: 020 7727 4080. Tube: Notting Hill Gate
