We were on a Nostalgia Trip ~ so it had to be Ponti’s ~ the place where my daughter drank coffee with her schoolfriends so many years ago. Back then it was a cafe, as much a coffeehouse as anything else, but serving good-old-fashioned traditional Italian meals as well. Now it’s updated for the twenty-first century. All clean shiny lines and buzzing with atmosphere, we were served single glasses of wine and an excellent meal (spaghetti carbonara and risotto asparagi) speedily enough had we been in a hurry. We were then allowed time to enjoy our meals and lengthy chatting, without fuss or the slightest hint that we should move on.
Afterwards I chose a tarte tatin with fruits of the forest ice cream, which proved to be too delicious to have missed but more than my appetite really needed, and my daughter drank her cappuccino. All-in-all a delightful experience, and one that I shall repeat with other friends as soon as possible. And if you’re looking for somewhere to eat near Oxford Circus, Ponti’s is well worth a visit.
For up-to-date prices and menu, “see the website”:http://www.pontisitaliankitchen.co.uk
