Maltings Cafe

In my post about the fantastic upstart Italian restaurant, Zucca, I said that I wouldn't post about its sister cafe, Maltings, because I didn't want the inevitable crowds to come. Well, I went for another lazy lunch there a week ago and had to include it here. It really is one of the best cafes in London serving up great tasting, simple Mediterranean food at amazingly low prices.

The menu is limited to a few items that change daily. Beware, they are only open Monday to Friday for breakfast and lunch which is a shame as I'm sure many locals would happily wile away a Friday or Saturday night here.

The design is clean and modern, reflective of the food.





We were promptly seated and provided with a basket of good fresh bread and a generous serving of quality, peppery olive oil.



I went for the "Seared rump steak with a warm vegetable salad" (£7.95). The meat was cooked medium and the vegetables were nicely al dente. The whole thing was sitting on top of a pea puree which brought the dish together well. Simply and delicious.



PJ had the "Mafaldine with roast broccoli and pangrattato" (£5.50!). The broccoli had been cooked over an intensely high heat in a well seasoned pan which gave it a roasted, smokey taste. (It reminded me of an excellent side dish of Cavolo Nero I had here cooked in a similar way served with olive oil and fresh lemon). The pangrattato, which are just fried bread crumbs, (sometimes called poor man's Parmesan) provided that fried salty taste that really lifted this dish.



With prices like this we ordered a side of "Polenta with mushrooms and tomato" (£2.50). The polenta was creamy and provided a subtle backdrop to the zippy tomato sauce.



It was a Monday so we went for dessert and coffee too.

"Orange and polenta cake" (£2.95) was moist and pleasantly citrusy and "Raspberry and almond cake" (£2.95) was also pretty good. I don't have a huge sweet tooth but the cakes went well with a coffee and rounded off the meal nicely.





Altogether a great lunch that was light, fresh, seasonal and tasty. With all we had, the meal only came to £25 for the two of us. Sadly I have spent nearly my share of this meal in Pret a Manger before on a depressingly monotonous lunch. Maltings offers exceptional value food. Please open up on the weekend...

Monster Munch Rating: 88%

Maltings Cafe
169 Tower Bridge Road
London
SE1 3NA

0207 378 7961