Il Toscano

A centrepiece among the many eateries crowding Station Parade along Brighton Road, Il Toscano is a proud example of the fine Italian restaurants in Sutton. Just minutes from the train station itself, Il Toscano attracts diners from across Surrey and the Greater London region, many of whom are known by veteran head chef Manuele by name. Diners also come here for the unique atmosphere. The restaurant itself boasts a stunning interior, fitted with Florentine-style wooden beams spanning the ceiling and focused on the traditional terracotta oven where superlative pizza and baked Italian dishes are given a perfect finish.

Dinner taken at Il Toscano’s Station Parade premises down Brighton Road is typically traditionally structured, with hot and cold antipasti followed by pasta and risotto, meat and fish dishes with a range of sides and breads to round things off. We’ve forgotten dessert, but trust you won’t, with classic panna cotta and tiramisu rubbing sweetly dusted shoulders with lemon and mascarpone cheesecake and a selection of Italian gelati. Our picks from this Sutton Italian restaurant’s menu would have to be the exotic mango with fresh crab and asparagus with smoked scamorza cheese wrapped in Parma ham to start; the reliably delicious risotto of the day or the spaghetti with seafood in a garlic, white wine and tomato sauce; and the roast duck breast with honey and balsamic on a bed of spinach or the skate wings in blackened butter with capers for a satisfying main course. While these are great choices from the a la carte menu, there’s so much to go on here that many diners opt for the affordable set menus and allow themselves to be guided through the Tuscan-meets-London fare on offer.

Il Toscano is also a fantastic venue for just a few drinks with friends. We do encourage you, however, to at least share some bruschetta ai pomodoro or classic prosciutto e melone when you indulge in the fine Italian wines on offer. And a wide selection of wine, and more, there is, with a list ranging from the house red and white up to the superb Brunello di Montalcino. A beloved Italian wine bar in Sutton, Il Toscano is also a great venue for a number of musicians drawn from Surrey and London’s pool of talented artists. Catch Mikey JC in the his Michael Buble guise while you dine, feisty covers band 4-Stroke, or classic chanson Aurora. There you have it – food, drink, music, and great company at one venue at Sutton’s Station Parade. Book a table for a truly Tuscan time.