Incanto

By Emma Shaw - Thursday 29th 2010f July 2010


Not being able to visit one of my favourite Mediterranean countries this summer, Italy, left me pining for the cuisine and gave me a great excuse to try out Incanto, a local restaurant that uses ingredients actually imported from Italy, which brought a bit of Italy to me - a rather good deal, I'd say.

Housed in a former nineteenth century post office, the interior impresses with a stylish spiral staircase and full-length skylights which really elevate and update the space. The Southern Italian cuisine is regional and traditional - think typical Italian grandma's cooking - yet with a modern twist, including influences from other Mediterranean countries.

A selection of stone baked organic Italian bread and homemade grissini whetted our appetites and made us long for the rest of our meal to arrive. My starter of watercress soup with morel mushrooms was light and delicious, and it was clear that the ingredients were fresh and of high quality. My friend's starter of Campanian buffalo mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, rocket pesto and basil ice cream was beyond delicious, and was the perfect example of a contemporary classic dish. We smelt our mains coming and they tasted even better than they looked - and they looked good. I wolfed down my Cornish lamb shoulder which arrived with courgette puree, truffle aioli, broad beans and Planeta olive oil mashed potato - all ingredients that gelled seamlessly. In addition to sourcing ingredients straight from Italy, locally sourced seasonal produce is also used, complemented by herbs and salads from Incanto’s very own garden.

My partner's pan fried wild black sea bass, potato lasagnetta and foraged sea vegetables made for an ideal main - the fish was succulent and the dish filling, ticking all the boxes. Desserts were equally impressive: the Sicilian baked ricotta tortino arrived with lemon curd ice cream and burst with flavour; my partner must have devoured half of my dish. I gave as good as I got, though, nabbing bites from his refreshing terrine of strawberry, passion fruit, orange and pink grapefruit which was accompanied by lemon sorbet.

Incanto was buzzing with groups of friends, couples, families with children, and even a business dinner taking place. With such a large variety of food covering numerous tastes - including gluten-free options and a special children's meal price - is it little wonder that the restaurant was packed. Incanto also caters for private parties outside the restaurant and will come to your chosen venue. With experience of catering for up to 150 people, they have a team of chefs as well as front of house staff ensuring each and every occasion is flawless and special. If that's not enough, Incanto was voted one of the Top Ten Best Italian Restaurants in London and the South East of England (Saturday Times June 2008) - something any Italian grandmother would be proud of.

Incanto Restaurant and Delicatessen
The Old Post Office
41 High Street
Harrow On The Hill
Middlesex HA1 3HT

Tel: 020 8426 6767
Fax: 020 8423 5087
Email: info@incanto.co.uk
Web: www.incanto.co.uk