G Casella

The mission: continue to find small, independent (well, 5 or less outlets) lunch food outlets that offer something worth seeking out.

Today’s chapter: After a difficult morning at work, I really didn’t fancy another mayonnaise filled super-something from one of the sandwich chains. Enter: Casella. A small Italian sandwich and pasta bar, just off the Blackfriars end of Fleet Street.

Look in the window and you’ll see the usual array of Italian sandwiches. Having had a selection of these previously, I can say that they’re good value and the ingredients do actually taste of the ingredients: prosciutto is moist and flavoursome, artichokes tangy etc. They have a good variety of sandwiches and rolls/ciabatas with generous fillings at good prices (e.g. £4 or less). If there’s nothing you like, they’ll slice something fresh from the array of salamis, cheeses and cured meats proudly displayed in sandwich counter, and stuff it into a crusty roll.

If you’re in there, you’ll see lots of Italian customers walking straight past the sandwich counter to the little dining area at the back of the shop where you can order one of the cook-to-order pastas, which change daily. I had a Spaghetti Bolognese to take-away today, to use as a pasta yardstick. I was very pleased with the quality of ingredients (chopped vegetables and herbs clearly visible in the sauce - not a quick pour from a jar), the pasta itself was quite nice, and the portion generous. I’ll be back to try more of their seemingly home-made pasta specials.

I’d highly recommend Casella as a good value and decent quality cheap eat just off Fleet Street – to take something away, or for a quick sit-down lunch with a friend.