The punter

Tworks for a charity and lives in East Dulwich, London. She eats out at least once a week and her favourite cuisine is Nikkei. Her best eating out experience was Dinner by Heston Blumenthal.

Lucia Patel avolino Bar & Kitchen is a casual yet classy Italian restaurant a short walk from London Bridge in the More London development. The restaurant has a large outdoor terrace for al fresco dining and beautiful views over the River Thames which can be enjoyed from almost every seat.

The head chef Louis Korovilas, formerly head chef of Covent Garden spot Bancone, serves an extensive menu of Italian dishes inspired by the best produce from across Italy and the UK. You will find main dishes such as an ‘orzotto’ of sweetcorn and marjoram with confit chicken wings, ribeye steak, sun-dried oxheart tomato and gorgonzola bomboloni – but the handmade pasta such as the silk handkerchiefs with walnut butter and confit Burford Brown yolk; and Sicilian and red prawn bucatini are the real stars of the menu. The restaurant also caters to vegans and vegetarians offering selections on separate menus.

Tavolino is perfect for a casual date night or a small birthday dinner with friends (or if you just fancy nipping in for a quick drink, visit its Bar Aperitivo for an Italicus spritz and a bowl of courgette fritti).

Definitely a restaurant worth keeping in your back pocket when looking for somewhere relaxed, relatively affordable and with the bonus of a great riverside view. tavolino.co.uk