Anima e Cuore (Camden Town)

• All I could see through the window was ice cream and there were no people in sight
• Confident I was at the right address though
• The six or seven tables ours was the only one occupied
• It was fully booked though (we were there relatively early in the evening and the closed door sign was to prevent any passers by from coming in only to be rejected)
• After a short while a friendly Italian man with a strong accent came to the table with a notebook
• He explained that there was no menu because the food is dependent on what fresh ingredients they get that day
• Which there were approximately five starters and mains
• This did present a slight issue in that it's quite difficult to remember what is on offer and what everything comes with (especially for those with allergies and other such dietary requirements)
• Our waiter was kind enough to repeat things where necessary so we got there in the end
• To start I had sea bream in a fairly thick and hearty parsnip veloute which was really lovely and very interesting
• My group also had burrata with aubergine dip and a savoury muffin (there may well be a more exotic Italian name which I forget) with cheese ice cream
• I then had veal with tuna (in a pate like form)
• Who knew that veal and tuna were a perfect pair
• One with ox cheek and the other with wild mushrooms
• I found the cheesecake disappointing as it was slightly lacking in heart and soul (being the English translation of the restaurant's name)
• The other two were excellent though
• I think it was certainly worth it
• So we arrived with a bottle of Prosecco to share between two of us
• Most of the mains featured an exotic take on pasta and we went for fettuccine with duck and a fish plate I obviously asked for more focaccia to mop this up which we weren't charged
• My highlight was the dessert
• The offy next door is obviously capitalising on extortionate bottles of cheap wine and Prosecco it probably would have cost the same amount to pay for drinks in the restaurant
• The staff ignored us for a little while before informing us they were fully booked
• Asked for a menu twice before we were even brought tap water
• Trying to clarify prices (we were only given a range)
• They think they are too cool for school and don't want anymore diners
• The next challenge is actually getting a table
• Anima e Cuore has been causing an excited gastronomic storm since it opened in 2014 and is always fully booked
• T heard what was going on inside in the kitchen

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