Smart Italian in Teddington.
The husband-and-wife team of Sam and Alex Berry have opened Cento Uno on Teddington High Street. It replaces another of their successful restaurants with something more accessible in this contemporary dining landscape.
Its location is perfect for this smart yet casual Italian eatery. The restaurant is light and welcoming: the bar with its hanging garden of foliage and lemons is dominant, flanked by what must surely be the stools of choice for those seeking a classic or innovative cocktail when the sun sets. The bar is long and replete with a bum, glistening glassware, bottles and shakers. Yes, I did mention a bum – don’t think crude pink plastic but more the behind of Michelangelo’s David.
This Cento Uno joins its sibling in Surbiton and the concept is the same. The dishes are rooted in Italian favourites, and are made with fresh ingredients in the open kitchen. The menu offers something for every taste and appetite. The drinks list is creditable, with beers, wines, cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks.
We enjoyed a brace of well-crafted cocktails while perusing the menu. My guest chose his habitual Negroni, and he pronounced this version delicious. It was made with local Bone Idyll London Dry gin, along with Campari and Cocchi di Torino, an Italian vermouth adding still more aromatic complexity.
Limoncello Spritz was my cocktail and it was both beautiful and refreshing. This would be the drink for sipping while lounging on a clifftop in Capri overlooking the Med. This was Teddington, yet this zingy melange of Limoncello, Prosecco and soda did offer a hint of southern charm.
Deep Fried Calamari with Tartar Sauce was my light nibble and it was the perfect savoury to pair with my cocktail. My companion ordered a much more substantial plate of Polpette della Nonna. This was a hearty serving of well-seasoned beef meatballs in a rich tomato sauce, along with toasted bread and a grating of Parmesan. I would order this with just a glass of red for a quick and flavourful lunch.
Iberica Pizza was my guest’s main dish and this too was a good size. The perfectly baked pizza was topped with Fior di Latte mozzarella, Parma ham, chorizo, tomatoes, garlic aioli and Pecorino. This was a classic pizza with plenty of toppings. The ham was pleasantly salty, the chorizo was a foil to the creamy mozzarella.
Carbonara was my main dish, and it was outstanding. This version was made with Bigoli pasta, which is Venice’s celebrated thick spaghetti. The pasta was laden with a generous amount of meaty guanciale, egg yolks, Parmesan and Pecorino. This was perhaps one of the best Italian dishes I have had in a while. It was rich and bursting with flavour from cheese, pepper and cured pork. Don’t miss this dish.
Torta della Nonna was our shared dessert. This was somebody’s Italian grandmother’s custard cake topped with roasted almonds and real vanilla ice cream. A good portion of sweetness to end a delightful meal.
Regulars already
Cento Uno Teddington has been open only a short time, but it seems to have attracted a good number of regulars already. The lunch guests included young couples, office workers and Ladies who Lunch. The service was first class and the food was tempting and well-presented. We are locals and will return to try perhaps some Arancini or Granchio e Gamberoni, which sounds luxurious – but then there is Diavola Pizza… I think many happy returns could be in order.
Cento Uno Teddington
114-116 High Street
Teddington
TW11 8JB
Brunch and Lunch: Tue – Sun 8am – 3pm
Dinner: Tue – Sat 5pm – 9pm