Il Solito Posto

Il Solito Posto's convivial atmosphere and versatile dining options make it an enduring favourite. The subterranean laneway locale and waiters' off-the-cuff charm bolster its broad appeal; it's not every place that still offers to hang your coat. Informally split into bar, bistro and basement trattoria with rendered, bottle-lined walls, wicker chairs and undressed tables, the everyday bustle is matched by rustic cuisine. Pork terrine is a mosaic of meaty flavours served with baked plum. A concise list of pastas includes generous coils of squid ink linguine tossed in a light white wine reduction with calamari and halved cherry tomatoes. Mains up the ante for robust flavours, but on occasion lack gusto. Twice-cooked duck on almond-studded Sardinian cous cous might seem a little dry; good pancetta-wrapped rabbit roundels are stuffed with oozing fontina cheese and come with wilted spinach. Desserts are classics. perhaps soft-centred chocolate pudding with vanilla ice-cream. Now, don't forget that coat.