The Due Amici in Chislehurst, South East London is a fantastic little Italian restaurant. They are located on Royal Parade, which is a short bus journey from the railway station. Royal Parade also has car parking for a fee. Royal Parade is a cute little road of independent shops and restaurants as well as housing a lovely pub at one end. The area is busy at weekends and on special occasions such as Christmas. The area is quaint and has a village feel unlike the main high street, which is full of chains and feels more like the town center.
The Due Amici is family run and the waiters are caring and really good entertainment. They also have a sister restaurant set in a lovely garden center called the Coach House, which is also well worth checking out. The prices here are not cheap but the atmosphere, service and food quality more than make up for this. After taking your coat and being seated in the airy and light restaurant you will be given time to browse the menu and snack on olives and a range of breads. These breads are really good! Ask for more during your starter if you need to, you have paid a cover charge after all.
Some dishes to note here are the king prawns in garlic butter, the evil crab au gratin and the crayfish tails (these will set you back £17 as a starter). The lemon sole on or off the bone makes for a great main course as does the T-Bone steak. I, however, am a cheap date here as I just love their pasta. They are all pretty good so it's hard to recommend you one. I also love the seafood risotto with crab claws. Ask for a starter portion if you aren't too peckish or have a small portion to start before a less carby main course.
Side dishes are ordered per person and can rack up to be expensive if you aren't careful. It's easy to get carried away with a range of veggies and potatoes! However, if there is one thing you MUST order it's the fried zucchini, I can promise you they are the best I have ever experienced and we have several portions when we dine here as a family.
Finally finish your meal by perusing the old fashioned dessert trolley! They have all the usual Italian style desserts available. However, make sure you ask if they have any cannoli. They usually have some in the kitchen and these are worth requesting. They are little pastry desserts filled with a sweet, creamy center containing ricotta. You can also order one to take away if you are too full straight after your main meal!
This is a really cute little restaurant to come and eat. It's expensive and on Saturday nights has a fancier atmosphere so dress up nicely. At lunchtime things are more casual and at the Coach House you can dine Al Fresco so that is worth considering. Bearing in mind I am half Italian I can vouch for this place and say it's authentic, traditional and worth a visit!
No comments:
Post a Comment