Isole des Sole, Putney, London

A small cosy restaurant found just off the main Putney high street, this Italian restaurant focuses on a good quality Sardinian food. They have a great selection of wine, and plenty of the slightly different takes on the Italian foods you might find elsewhere. Check out their current website (http://www.isoladelsole.blogspot.com/) to see what they offer because their main website (http://www.isoladelsole.co.uk/) doesn't seem to be working yet.

Sardinian foods include special types of cured meats, pecorino cheese, crispy breads and some special types of pasta, all of which I'd highly recommend. A lot of their bruschetta are very different from the plain tomatoes and basil, and all of the unique variations are pleasant surprises.

Inside they have probably around fifteen tables, although we managed to fit a party of around 13 people around the grand square one they have at the back of the entrance. We indulged in a two course meals, and there were so many starters that several people didn't really want a main meal, however everyone still chowed down since the food was so tempting and smelt delicious.

They did a wonderful job taking care of our big group, and made a huge effort to keep our glasses topped up and our bellies full.

tucked away off the main Putney drag, Isole del Sol is a hidden gem of an Italian - sorry, make that Sardinian - restaurant. Arriving hideously late, i didn’t get a chance to do more than scan the menu, but a spaghetti alla vongole et bottarga (hold the vongole) caught my eye. Bottarga seems to be an ingredient exclusive to this mediterranean island, and for those yet to come across it, is grated dried mullet roe. This makes for an incredibly pungent fishy/salty flavour, of which a little goes a long way. The dish - a pile of spaghetti covered in olive oil, garlic and fresh tomato along with the grated Bottarga - was deliciously clean and satisfying.