As anyone who knows me will tell you, I’m a foodie.  Typically, this comes hand in hand with being a good cook.  I’m not.  In fact, I rarely make anything myself unless it’s a slice of toast or mixing a protein shake for the gym.  I do, however, like going out with friends.  It’s rare that we go somewhere particularly extravagant- generally it’s a Surrey pub or on a third party’s recommendation, but it is a wonderful way to catch up with old university friends without either party having to go to the trouble of shopping, cooking, and cleaning.

One of my latest jaunts has been to Rosmarino, an Italian restaurant in Worcester Park.  I used to go there under the previous management, when it was A’Roma.  It’s not the best location for passing trade (it’s not on a main road, and most people don’t even know it’s there), but that’s always perfect when you want to go somewhere fairly local and haven’t made a reservation.

The restaurant itself has been fairly recently renovated and has a certain Mediterranean charm.  It has much the same feel as it did ten years ago.  The new management team are delightful- very friendly, welcoming and with a reasonable attention to detail.  For the size of the establishment, the menu is fairly varied, although the wine list could be a little more adventurous.  For one, I would like to see non-Italian wine on the list, and a greater choice of grape varietals.

One thing I will say about this restaurant is that everything I had there was genuinely homemade, and you feel as though you are probably having a family recipe that has been handed down the generations.  For someone who rarely cooks themselves, this is a welcomed change.

As a starter, I had stuffed aubergine with tomatoes and mozzarella cheese.  This was actually surprisingly tasty.  You’d be surprised how many times I get told that my diet would be ‘far tastier’ if I ‘only ate meat’, but this dish proves that you can get great flavour and surpass the meaty dishes (my friend, who did opt for a meat platter, did have food envy).  

  
For the main course, I opted for sea-bass which was accompanied by vegetables and covered with a saffron sauce.  It was cooked very well indeed, and I am extremely fussy when it comes to fish.

  
Overall, I would say that this family owned restaurant is a bit of a hidden gem in Worcester Park.  Yes, it has more of a homely feel than perhaps more sought after restaurants, and they could perhaps improve their presentation, but that does add a certain charm for those times when you’ve had a long day at work and can’t face the thought of having to change and get ready to go out.  Whilst it’s not one of my ‘go to’ restaurants, I would probably go there once every two or three months and have a good time on each occasion.  It is also very reasonably priced (as a rough guide: starters: (£7), main courses: (£15), puddings: (£6)).  Next time, I hope I have room for pudding!