Machiavelli Covent Garden

Despite being a lover of food, sometimes trying to find something to eat during my lunch break, day in day out, makes me want to give up eating all together. I've had so many Eat soups I can name all the flavours. If I have another Itsu rice bowl I will turn into one. That's why when somewhere foodie and new opens, with more to offer than a dried out chicken salad sandwich, it is very exciting indeed.

So, Machiavelli in Covent Garden. Inspired by "enjoying a bottle of wine in a Tuscan courtyard," they specialize in importing fresh food from Italy to London.  If you go into the shop on Long Acre, you'll be lucky to escape without burning £20 on a bottle of olive oil - it's that kind of place. Given these prices, I wouldn't recommend coming here every day - we are in the middle of a recession after all. However, when your life feels a little grey and you need a touch of that Tuscan sunshine then spending £7 (approx) on a box of thinly slice, silky beef, with tongue-tingling Parmesan shavings and mouthwatering pesto, or a real salad nicoise with firmly boiled eggs, and crisp green beens, seems like a bit of an investment.

They also have the kind of cakes that look like they could change your life, as well as a selection of little chocolate and biscuit accompaniments to coffee.  I've had mixed experiences with the coffee.  The first one I had - a latte - was out of this world - so good, I didn't even need my usual ladle of sugar.  The second coffee wasn't so good, more like warm milk.  Despite this, I'd recommend a visit, especially if you are a lover of all things Italian and food, especially if your life needs a touch of Tuscan sun...


69 Long Acre
Covent Garden
London
WC2E 9JG

www.machiavellifood.co.uk