Deliciously Elegant.
There are plenty of Italian restaurants in London. They cover the whole gamut of quality, but Como Garden is a cut above many others for both food and ambiance.
The location of this beautiful restaurant is enviable. It is just a few yards from its sister restaurant Zuaya (recently reviewed here) and nestled on the corner of a quiet side street off High Street Kensington. But step across the threshold and one is transported to a shady garden near Lake Como.
The decor here is lovely, with muted tapestry upholstery on chairs and banquettes. That aforementioned shade, supplied by a full-size olive tree, is obviously not needed in a wintery London restaurant, but it adds so much to the concept. No, it’s not real, but will fool everybody except the most dedicated snooper. It sounds an over-the-top embellishment, but it works very well with the restaurant and its evident attention to detail.
Como Garden is the perfect spot for an intimate quiet lunch for a couple, or an evening get-together for a more exuberant group. There are tables for two or booths for larger parties. The artwork is contemporary, with ivy-covered mirrors allowing the guest to be tricked into thinking this space is actually larger than it is.
Dishes from all regions of Italy
But we will all be here for the food! It’s sharing plates, with the suggestion that three plates per person would constitute a meal. The menu presents the most popular dishes from all regions of Italy, so something for every taste and appetite. We tried quite a few plates and none of them disappointed.
We started with a brace of Como Garden Signature cocktails. Como Fizz made with gin, basil, lemon, sugar and cucumber was refreshing and well balanced. Cupido was made with Amaretto, the predominant flavour, strawberries, lemon and sugar. This would be the cocktail of choice for any lover of almonds. Another delicious creation from Como Garden.
Our dishes began to arrive. They are all cooked to order and will be served fresh from the oven, pan, pot or fryer. Fried Zucchine is always a favourite and here the courgettes were as good as I have had anywhere… including Italy. They had a crunchy exterior and a meltingly soft inside and were piping hot. Arancini with Parmesan and Fontina Cheese were presented in individual frying pans. These traditional savoury treats had both texture and flavour and were devoid of oil, and paired perfectly with our mixed salad.
Highly recommend
The aubergine dishes at Como Garden should not be missed. This underrated vegetable (or is it a fruit?) can be either a part of a starter spread or a side dish to go along with, perhaps, Roast Chicken with Truffle Filling and Mashed Potatoes. Yes, we tried that, and I can highly recommend this platter of moist chicken perfumed with truffle on a bed of creamy mash. A comforting and substantial menu item.
Fish lovers are well served at Como Garden. Seabass Alla Mugnaia was our fish dish, and it was a fresh-tasting plate of delicate fish with a delectable light sauce of lemon and butter. We enjoyed a bowl of Oven-Roasted Potatoes with a scattering of herbs as a side dish.
But the star of the meal was Black Truffle and 24-Month Parmesan Tagliolini. This pasta was memorable in every regard. It was lusciously rich, cheesy and creamy, but there was also a theatrical flourish as the waiter shaved the aromatic truffle over the steaming pasta. This must be a signature dish here and one for which to return!
Como Garden has great charm, a classy location and a menu full of enticing dishes.
Visit Como Garden here https://comogarden.co.uk/