Fine Foods – Locanda del Melo, Long Lane, London SE1 is a small and intimate deli come restaurant. They serve authentic artisan Italian food and homemade fresh pasta. If you’re looking for the best Italian restaurants near Borough Station or intimate date night restaurants in SE1, you’ll enjoy Fine Foods – Locanda del Melo. It’s around the corner from Bermondsey Street and within walking distance from Borough and London Bridge stations.
“Fine Foods – Locanda del Melo is a neighbourhood gem serving authentic Italian cuisine in an intimate setting; it’s the perfect recipe for a date night,” Homegirl London.
Fine Foods – Locanda del Melo Menu
The menu is concise but has enough to satisfy vegetarians, meat-eaters and fish-eaters. They change the menu every six weeks to ensure the locals return regularly. For Starters, my partner and friend shared an assortment of Deep-Fried Seafood piled high on a cute wooden serving board with a side of Homemade Sweet Chilli Mayonnaise and a wedge of Lemon. They ate every morsel, so it must have been good. Other Starters included a Minestrone Soup, Bruschetta Calabrese, Carpaccio di Bresaola, selection of Italian Charcuterie or Cheeses.
My partner and I shared a couple of pasta dishes. One was Tagliatelle ai Fungi, the fresh homemade Egg Pasta coated in an earthy-tasting Wild Mushroom Sauce. The other dish was Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe, which was my favourite. It was wonderfully creamy, thanks to the Pecorino Romano Cheese. Alternative vegetarian options are Parmigiana which I will try next time. Gnocchi Gorgonzola was also available, but I wouldn’t say I like veiny cheese, so I gave that one a miss.
Our friend fancied meat, so he went for the Beef Entrecote with Roasted Potatoes and Black Taggiasche Olives. He said the beef was succulent and perfectly cooked. The portion was quite large, so it was value for money. Other meaty dishes are Risotto with Italian Pork Sausage and Saffron and Tagliatelle with Artichokes and Guanciale Pork Cheek. For those who prefer Seafood or fish, the Taglierini (similar to Tagliatelle but thinner) with Crab in a Tomato, Courgette, Garlic and Chilli Sauce or Roasted Cod Fillet with Lentils may hit the spot.
Save a little room for tempting Desserts such as Tiramisu, Chocolate Fondant, Torta Paesana, Gelato or Affogato. We shared a baked Pear Tart and a Strawberry Tiramisu, a lovely way to end our meal.
To give you an idea of Prices, Starters are £9-14.90; Pasta is £15.90-16.90. Main Courses £16.90-23.90 and Desserts £6-9.50. Some of those prices may sound a little high, but the homemade pasta and quality ingredients were worth it.
Helpful Information About Fine Foods – Locanda del Melo
For more information, go to the Fine Foods – Locanda del Melo website. The restaurant address is 218 Long Lane, London SE1 4QB. Borough is the closest station, or you can walk from London Bridge. Current opening times are Monday to Saturday from 8 am until 11 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm. If you are dining Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening, I recommend booking a table to avoid disappointment. The restaurant is small, with a few stools overlooking the road and tables and chairs towards the back of the establishment. You’ll enjoy the cosy and intimate atmosphere, especially if you’re on a date.
If you want to explore the area, you may be interested in these articles:
Ten Things To Do On Bermondsey Street
Historic Bermondsey Walk
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about restaurants where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research as restaurant standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the restaurant is still in business and the opening times before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.
