Why Barino's lemon tart is the best in London★★★★★

Dessert nivana has come to Westfield's new extension. Masquerading as merely an eyecatchingly blue and chrome cafe/wine bar, Barino has a gem of a brilliant young chef Alessandra Bonati. She trained at Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana, number one in the World's 50 Best Restaurants working within the pastry kitchen for two years. Yes, she did make that internationally renowned "oops I dropped the lemon tart - said to be insired by Ai Wai Wai for many many services.

Barino is her first solo venture with the owners of The Italian Job pubs and her viennoisserie are selling like hot cakes. London is not exactly famed for the quality of its croissants. These made freshly each day off-site - the brasserie is more kiosk than restaurant k size size with limited yet comfortable banquette and bar seating - have the requisite flaky, crisp, buttery divinity it is rare to taste here. They take coffee very seriously too.





Come lunch or supper, there are generous bruschetta liberally topped with straccino (the creamy innards of burrata), heritage tomato salads with the creamiest of mozzarella (there's no stinting on quality ingredients yet prices are a steal) and.house made panini. Gnocchi a la Romana is rather more satisfying for a cooler day. A dish rarely seen in the UK, it is gnocchi bound with bechemel sauce flecked with gorgonzola - ultra-satisfying. Other comfort foods include pleasingly savoury meatballs with a rich tomato sauce and aubergine parmigiani.




Desserts are the real draw. The lemon tart is sublime: definitive crisp pastry and tangy Amalfi lemon imbued custard so perfect it calls for an aria. There's the lightest yet most intense tiramisu too. Both are served in small yet beautiful portions for a fiver or less. It's a steal and a dessert lover's heaven.

To drink, there's a small yet perfectly formed all Italian wine list and charming, enthused staff will shake a good negroni.

Lunch/dinner for two £40.00+ including drinks

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