Il Girasole

Hailing from Terni in Umbria, Il Girasole’s proprietor Alessandro has worked his way through the ranks of Italian hospitality, making the leap from manager at London’s Osteria Antica Bologna to his current position as the proud owner of his own trattoria and pizzeria. And he’s done a sterling job, keeping the menu classically-structured, with a keen eye for the best ingredients, regional Italian specifics, and beautiful presentation. The restaurant’s premises, too, close to the action along Earlsfield’s Garratt Lane, reflect the down-home tone of his rustic Umbrian-inflected offering, with Italian furniture and artwork commissioned from a local Wandsworth artist.

Umbrian (and even more specifically Norcian) dishes, dot the menu at Il Girasole. Tortellini alla norcina, for instance, combines egg tortellini with Umbrian sausage, mushrooms, and a black truffle sauce. Another traditional and hearty dish, this one listed under secondi piatti, is the salsiccia e lenticchie con rosmarino, a stew of Umbrian sausage and lentils served with garlic pizza. Black truffle and Umbrian sausage even makes it onto this south London restaurant’s pizza menu, in the form of the house special Norcia. Earlsfield’s premier Italian trattoria, Il Girasole’s Garratt Lane premises are often buzzing, so book early and take your place at this very Umbrian table.