With its candles planted in Rioja bottles and exposed stone walls, Mediterraneo feels like a traditional trattoria — impressive, considering its central corner spot on lively Kings Cross Road.
Mediterraneo's menu will lift diners out of London's busy streets and deposit them straight into laid-back Italy. Diners can start the meal with a number of Italian standards, including the refreshing Caprese salad, flavoursome calamari, hearty soups and crunchy bruschetta. Good-sized portions come with the territory, so starters such as the avocado are piled high with plenty of prawns.
The mains on the Mediterraneo menu are dominated by the three pillars of Italian cooking: pizza, pasta and seafood. Light, well-seasoned bowls of gnocchi sit side by side with herb-heavy meatball dishes and all kinds of pizza. The drinks list is designed to complement all of those Italian flavours, and includes the ubiquitous limoncello finish.
The restaurant itself is open and light, capped by an inviting glass conservatory. In the summer, the tiny but pride-of-place pavement tables are made for people-watching. Inside, meanwhile, floor-to-ceiling canvasses of pretty harbours and beaches make diners feel as though they're peering into an Italian sunset.
Diners will find Mediterraneo on Kings Cross Road, just a ten-minute walk from St Pancras International and King's Cross. What with its proximity to two of London's busiest stations, Mediterraneo attracts an international crowd of travellers and tourists. But despite its popularity, it's retained an authentic and cosy atmosphere — mostly thanks to the attentive staff who are experts at balancing prompt service with a friendly welcome.