It’s probably the best time ever to eat Italian in London: street eats like Cheeky Italian, Fundi Pizza, Franco Manca and Pizza Pilgrims have definitely raised the quality bar on Southern European goodness in the capital, and newly-opened Canto Corvino shows you can serveรย amazing Italian food for a good price. But there’s an Italian restaurant that you will never ever forget, giving London the best of the best Italian food – some of which you won’t even find in Italy. It’s the City of London’s L’Anima.
Situated in the heart of London’s financial district on 1 Snowden Street, L’Anima is one of my personal favourites, guaranteed to make me feel better even when I feel terribly homesick. That’s because, together with classic Italian dishes like Risotto al Grana Padano withรย porcini mushrooms, L’Anima cooks up an impressive selection of delicacies from my motherland Sardinia.
Start off with L’Anima’sรย Manzo Crudo con Tartufo Nero e Uova di Quaglia (Chopped Raw Beef with Black Truffle and Quail Egg, รยฃ16.50) a starter with a kick that will get you in the mood for all the amazing food to come. 
Take for instance their Pappardelle al Ragรยน di Cinghiale (Pappardelle with Wild Boar Ragu, รยฃ13.50/รยฃ17.50) or theirรย Ravioli di Crostacei in Brodo di Astice (Langoustine and Prawn Filled Ravioli with Spicy Lobster Broth, รยฃ18, pictured here): innovative yet typical dishes like this are hard to find both in London and inรย Italy.
Their impressive list of Primi Piatti demands more than just one visit. Don’t miss out on some of my favourites, theรย Tortelli di Barbabietola con Burrata e Ricotta Affumicata con Aceto Balsamico รขโฌหFamiglia Gottardiรขโฌโข (Beetroot Tortelli with Smoked Burrata, Ricotta and Aged Balsamic Vinegar, รยฃ14.50/รยฃ19.50).
For a main that’s as Sardinian as it gets, go for theirรย Fregola Sarda con Astice e Cime di Rapa (Lobster Fregola and Turnip Tops, รยฃ26.50) or for theรย Malloreddus al Grano arso e Gamberi di Mazara (Hand-made Malloreddus with Mazara Prawns, รยฃ17.50).
As a second course, try their tastyรย Tagliata di Manzo Scozzese e Salsa Verde (รย Scotch Beef Tagliata, Marrow Bones, Buffalo Blue Cheese and Salsa Verde, รยฃ34.50), an absolute guilty pleasure.รย 
To finish, try the extremely instagrammableรย Tortino di Mandorle e Lamponi con Gelato allo Yogurt (Raspberry and Almond Tart with Liquorice Crumble, รยฃ10.00). However, if you’re looking for real Sardinian desserts, try L’Anima’s Seadas with Harbutus Honey and Nougat Ice Cream (รยฃ8.50), a typical honey cake to drink with a shot of Mirto (รยฃ7.00), a Sardinian digestif.รย 
Sardinia never feels as close as when I’m at L’Anima.
Pictures: Carolina Are
