400 Rabbits, Crystal Palace ★★★★★

400 Rabbits review: Culture Whisper says ★★★★★

The menu at hip new neighbourhood restaurant 400 Rabbits is simple and not particularly revolutionary. There's Pizza, beer, coffee and ice-cream, with a salad that changes daily. But the quality and thought behind each dish makes this local eatery well worth a visit.

Charred, chewy sourdough pizzas, piled with the freshest ingredients, served with a smile and curated pick of the best craft beers, rival the ever-expanding Franca Manca franchise.

A combination of richly spicy Iberico chorizo, pickled chills, tomato, mozzarella and basil was moreish and satisfying.
The vegetarian options have more flair than your standard pizzeria, and we were torn between a courgette, garlic, pine nut, feta and thyme option or a goats' cheese, caper and pequillo peppers. The side salad is given bite with generous sprinklings of parmesan shavings and toasted seeds. Plus, celiacs will be pleased to know that a gluten-free dough is in development - watch this space.

But it's the gelato that really shines. Of the simple but well-curated selection of just six flavours, we were smitten with the decadent dairy-free bitter chocolate sorbet and the smooth, creamy hazelnut gelato. Best of all, the Sundae menu gives a dash of nostalgic fun: choose your flavours, pick a sauce, add toppings. Indulge your inner child but banish all thoughts of hundreds and thousands or cocktail cherries and think cacao nibs and fresh blueberry sauce instead. Though, there are mini marshmallows to keep kids happy.