Ristorante Olivelli - Waterloo

Brimming with Sicilian charm, Olivelli is London's original home from home for anyone whose heart belongs in Italy. This distinguished restaurant dates back to 1934, and over the subsequent years Olivelli has built up a reputation as an Italian haven. A hearty welcome and a first taste of the food revealed just why it's long been frequented by famous names, the likes of Graham Norton, Jack Dee and Kevin Spacey among them.

As we soaked up the trattoria-style atmosphere at the Store Street branch, we sampled a starter of arancini con carne - crispy fried rice balls filled with meat ragu and peas - served with a tangy tomato sauce. If you simply can't decide, the antipasto all'Italiana or antipasto vegetariano are the best options, bringing many authentic flavours of Italy together on one plate. Amongst a medley of tasty morsels, the vegetarian platter offered my first experience of panelle (Sicilian chickpea fritters) and it won't be my last. The mains selection features Italian favourites and some not-so-familiar dishes. Intrigued by the saffron-based risotto dello chef, I was presented with a risotto like none I've tasted before - the combination of zingy caramelised onions and smooth aromatic rice was sensational. My dining companion plumped for something he knows and loves: pizza. His choice of stone-baked Pizza Campagnola, which offers a Calabrian twist with the addition of spicy 'nduja sausage, was deliciously light and quickly devoured. When it came to dessert, we couldn't help ourselves. When every one on the menu is handmade to an authentic Sicilican recipe, how could we resist? My scoops of fior di latte, chocolate and nocciola ice cream and the panna cotta with a fruit coulis opposite me were both a real treat