Forty Dean Street London

I must have walked past @fortydeanstreet dozens of times, possibly hundreds, without entering this traditional Italian trattoria. It's informal and friendly, and feels like old Soho, without being old-fashioned in any way other than in offering hearty dishes at reasonable prices. The plates are piled high, and wine starts at £27 a bottle. Dishes that I tried with my god-daughter @danibambi included Crunchy fried squid and zucchini with an aioli and sweet chilli sauce (£13.50); Tempura courgette flower filled with ricotta, truffle paste and a honey drizzle (£12.75); Pappardelle with beef and tomato ragu (£22.50); and Chicken Milanese spaghetti pomodoro, rosemary bread crumbed chicken breast with spaghetti in a tomato and basil sauce (£23). I'm not sure I've ever taken a doggy bag from a restaurant, but it might have been an idea here as the portion sizes caught me a little by surprise. The restaurant is dog-friendly, so who needs a bag? #rvines dines Less