PUTTING an Italian spin on the institution that is Sunday lunch, Café Murano’s Pranzo di Domenica menu takes guests on a journey through some of Italy’s finest culinary creations. The elegant yet laid-back environs of Angela Hartnett’s Café Murano Covent Garden make a perfect spot to retreat from the theatre crowds and leisurely indulge in a spirited menu with plenty to sate the largest of appetites.
Cafe Murano Covent Garden
On this recently launched Sunday menu, the tapas-style cichetti options include delicately crumbed mozzarella and basil arancini and the heavy-duty, cocktail stick-speared Harry’s Bar toasted sandwich, which for many would be a meal in itself. From the antipasti menu, the vitello tonnato sees punchy capers and parmesan add depth to this Italian classic, while anchovies give a salty kick to the tricolore salad.
Arancini, mozzarella, basil. Photograph: Claire Menary
With fish courses playing a major role on traditional Italian Sunday menus, it comes as no surprise that the chili-spiked lobster linguini is a sensation and a Ligurian fish stew stands out with clams, mussels and white fish jostling for attention within a hearty broth.
Muscovado tart. Photograph: Claire Menary
For dessert, the waiter-recommended muscovado tart, served with crème fraiche is a surprisingly delicate affair while the tiramisu, served simply in a rustic glass bowl and accompanied by a not-too-sweet glass of Moscato d’Asti – is the perfect way to sign off a Sunday lunch in style. Who needs Yorkshire puddings anyway?
by Ben Olsen