Bucci, Balham’s authentic Italian hotspot. Whenever I have visited Bucci I am transported back to my ultimate love, Italy! Full of hustle and bustle, fun and laughter and an appreciation of fine ingredients. Wait a minute, how can I forget to mention the good old Italian hospitality. The owner of Bucci is there every night and you know what, I would hate it if he wasn’t. He remembers every person that walks through the door and memorises the flavours they like making it it hard to say no when he suggests a new dish or offers to make you something special. Bucci is a very cosy and well I think I would love to be taken there on a date as it is a lot of fun (to be honest I have been there on a lot of first dates :D). One of my favourite starters at Bucci is the Caprino Panato, a deep fried goats cheese starter with salad and caramelised ones. The goats cheese is so smooth and creamy it just melts in your mouth. Be sure to try it with the onions as it really brings out the strange sweetness in the cheese. It’s so yummy I could live on this stuff. If you love cheese you will also love the bread topped with sautéed mushrooms and melted Gorgonzola cheese. The mushrooms have been sautéed in butter and garlic and the flavours work so well with the saltiness or the Gorgonzola. My favourite pasta dish as you all know is the Taggliatelle Al Salmone. It’s the first dish I look for in an Italian restaurant and well when you try it for yourself you will understand why I love it so much. Bucci make it so well that I wouldn’t think I am in London eating it but somewhere in Romantic Rome. The sauce is creamy with hints of leeks which brings a sweetness to the dish. The salmon is fresh (non of that smoked stuff) and the amount of salmon you get in the dish is more than generous. My top tip is to always have it with a sprinkling of black pepper. Delicious. I can never go without having a glass of prossecco or two here. It’s so light and fruiting. All meals are ended with a complimentary shot of lemoncilo and biscottis. The lemoncilo I must say is definitely the best I have tasted outside of Italy. The owner is so generous that he just walks around topping up your glass as he giggles away. Be careful, it is a tad strong so don’t be surprised about losing balance after knocking it back. The owner is beyond generous and really makes each visit a special treat. He is always treating customers to wine, free starters and for this visit he treated myself and my friend Shivaani to a large glass of champagne, you would never have guessed that it was a Monday evening on this visit. Bucci has great food and an amazing host. I can’t wait for my next visit. Drop by and let us know what you think. Star Rating:**** Bucci 195 Balham High Road, London SW12 9BE