The Italian Job

5 Prospect St
Caversham
Reading
Berkshire
01189 463400

This is an Italian restaurant on two floors which recently announced its arrival in the ever expanding Caversham area of Reading. For a number of years it was No 5 that occupied this corner position on Prospect Street, then the successful San Marco which I wrote about in my restaurant columns. This latest arrival with its unusual name had been open for a month or so when I visited in mid August to see how it was progressing.

The main dining room is light and bright, adorned with original works of art depicting scenes from the film, The Italian Job. The basement is smaller, and is an excellent setting for parties of up to around 16 people.

Plum Tomato & Mozzarella Salad with Basil foccacia & Italian Olive oil was the selection for Sue. This was a fresh, friendly starter, a favourite during the summer period which Sue often has for an evening snack, or creates as a starter when friends are round. The tomatoes were very tasty, a colourful and tasty counterpart to the mozzarella, supported by a fresh olive oil. I went for the Seared tiger prawns, served as a starter with a chive & parsley cracked wheat salad, balsamic glazed cherry tomatoes and pesto dressing. Simply delicious, Tiger prawns are a favourite, often they are my choice for main courses, seldom as a starter, this was a change, and what a change! Served partially in their shells they were simply delicious, a dish I would love to see served as a main course as well as being available as a starter.

Sue selected the baked cod fillet with salsa verde for her main course, crushed new potatoes and garden vegetables, a bright, well cooked dish resplendent with colour, the cod cooked well and presented in style. Many restaurants use cod as a reliable and safe dish, so often served with chips and mushy peas and this is fine, as well as being chosen often by Sue as a benchmark dish, one to be used for comparative purposes. This passed the test, for three major reasons: the addition of crushed new potatoes, the cooking and presentation of the fish itself, and finally the addition of perfectly cooked vegetables, cooked to enjoy, with the crispness we all enjoy.

I chose the Corn fed chicken breast with prosciutto, dauphinoise potatoes and wilted spinach, not a dish I have tried before. The moist and tender chicken, which dominated the plate, was very ably supported by the potatoes and the spinach, one of my favourite vegetables. Chicken is a dish I used to enjoy a great deal but the appeal left with so many dishes being served in a similar manner. This rekindled my interest and I shall maintain it, credit indeed to the chef for the inclusion of this dish on an excellent menu. A plus point here also for the plates served hot enough to maintain the heat until all had been cleared and enjoyed, something other establishments can learn from.

During the course of the meal we enjoyed an Italian red wine which was a reflection of the wine list, value for money and enjoyable. The list, certainly had a number of wines suitable for everyday drinking with more available for a special occasion, allowing width and depth of choice.

In common with a few meals latterly where Sue and I have been pacing ourselves we selected the Cheese and biscuits with baked grapes and apple chutney for dessert. A platter made for sharing, the selection of cheese being a perfect companion to the baked grapes, tasty, a fitting finale to a fine meal where style, warmth and a very friendly service supported the excellence of the food.

The Italian Job will do very well, the position, the food, service and the style of the restaurant reflects success. Following on the tradition of the restaurants occupying this corner plot of Caversham The Italian Job will attract a large following. The menu offers a wide range of dishes from pasta

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