La Gaffe, Hampstead, NW3

I used to live around the corner from La Gaffe and have frequented it many times over the years. The left hand side of the building is a restaurant with set tables and waiter service. To the right there is a smaller area where the specials board can be found and those that just want a glass of wine or bottle of Peroni can sit. The floor to ceiling window at the front overlooks Heath Street which isn’t the most interesting of places being the wrong side of the High street. There is accommodation available upstairs and incoming/outgoing guests are often seen carrying their bags through the bar. I hadn’t visited here for three or four years before my visit early on Thursday evening, but the long standing maître d’hôtel recognised me and made me feel very welcome. The authentic Italian food is always top notch and a lovely plate of filling pasta and a bottle of beer set me back £10. I’d rather enjoy some lunch in here than have inferior microwaved food at a local pub for the same price or more. Will I return?... Obviously! I must say that my rating of nine is somewhat nostalgic and based on the service and food rather than a comparison to a great British boozer.

Official site of La Gaffe - www.lagaffe.co.uk