Marco Polo

This is very much a place to lunch on a summer's day. Part of a new development off the Putney Bridge Road, it has extensive multi-level outdoor terraces with smart canopies, pretty planting and views across the river. Local friends and online comments had led us to rein in expectations as to service and quality of food, but we were pleasantly surprised by both. Despite a huge party arriving to fill a long table near ours, we had nothing but the most attentive friendly service throughout. Our starters were a totally delicious calamari fritti and a carpaccio cipriani, the latter very attractively plated, with a tent of parmesan shavings keeping the tasty beef slices cool. Spaghetti granchio (with crab) was pretty good but, although perfectly pleasant, the saltimbocca alla romana was distinctly odd, not tasting much like veal and with no evidence of sage or parma ham. Crespelle marco polo (crisp pancakes filled with mascarpone, chocolate, crushed amaretti and Tia Maria) and a quite perfect crème brûlée, together with the last glass of our Rovereto Gavi (£27), finished our Thameside reverie on a high note. Keep an eye out for attractive discounts offered online.