Il profilo di slagdog

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.

“A dying breed” is all too often used to describe restaurants or cafes with nostalgic charm. Unfortunately in the case of Tony’s - South London’s favourite greasy spoon - this could be all too accurate. An unbelievable hike in rent of 150% (fueled by the monied high street chains moving in on the area) may mean closure for Tony’s.

This really would be a tragedy; The eponymous Tony is larger than life - both in physical stature and character - and has been a stalwart of the area for 20 years. His charm is other worldly and means i always get a free tea top up when dining alone or in the company of another female - not something you’d get from starbucks or pret. Aside from the place itself, the food is tip top and you can fill your belly for under a fiver.

A busy day in the “office” so thought i deserved a treat from my favourite local Japanese restaurant… Tokiya is a tiny traditionally-styled sushi bar, with only 24 covers. Little known beyond the residents of “NappyValley” but always full and busy with their take out service. I had my usual selection of fatty tuna and salmon sashimi with tuna and spring onion inside out rolls and miso soup. i also tried their “Bamboo Sake” - literally served from a hollowed out Bamboo stem into tiny bamboo cups. Really delicious and much better than the very standard wine list. They also serve Sapporo - the best Japanese beer around. Very reasonably priced - especially for good sushi - at £25 a head inc tip.

Now that my link to Paris is no longer a stone’s throw from Clapham, I get my Frenchie fix from Gastro - a quintessential brasserie just off Clapham High Street. We popped in for a glass of “Vin Rouge” on route to the Clapham Picture House which is just across the road. The service is as you would expect in any French brasserie - imperfect and non-ingratiating - but somehow just right. The wine is rustic and pleasingly served in a down to earth tumbler, accompanied by a bowl of proper French bread. Gastro is always packed, but if you can’t get a table it’s more fun to sit at the bar and practice GCSE French with the waiters.