Some More La Capanna Customer & Media Reviews

Hello Magazine - David Billington

I should have known better really. I mean fancy taking on publicist supreme, Max Clifford, at the name game. He is a near neighbour of mine in downtown Surrey, a place where the rich people hang out and a few stragglers like me fight to scrape together our monthly mortgage payments.

We were talking last week about some of our illustrious nearby residents when I happened to mention that I was taking a noted but minor celebrity to dinner at our local eatery, La Capanna, at the bottom end of Cobham High Street. I just happened to throw in a questioning line about the validity of a rumour that Max had taken OJ Simpson to La Capanna when he fled to Britain for some peace and quiet after that notorious trial. "Yes," he replied, "he's been a client of mine for 20 years since his footballing days."

It beat my minor celebrity story hands down, but I looked to counter with the fact that I had met snooker player Jimmy White in the local petrol station a few months earlier. In fact, I had passed him a handwipe when he got petrol on his shoe. Not bad, eh? Sure to impress.

But then Max hit me with a double whammy. "Well actually," he said "if you are looking for a few names for your story I have also taken Frank Sinatra and John Lennon there." What?! Who?! I reeled as Max's masterly double hit home.

Who could I offer in return? My mother-in-law? I mean, it isn't every day that you discover that Frank Sinatra or possibly the most celebrated Beatle have once dined in your local restaurant. Game, set and match to you, Max. I know when I'm beaten.

La Capanna must boast the prettiest interior of any restaurant I have ever dined in. Dating back to the eighteenth century it features exposed wooden beams with a minstrel gallery.

The fare on offer is predominantly Italian with strong English overtones. Among the starters on offer is a warm salad of scallops at £6.50, but I went for an excellent prawn and mango salad served with a mango coulis. It was delicious and the prawns of a size that seemed to indicate they had been well looked after by mum. This was £6 and came from that Italian speciality, "the trolley", Crab cakes, Affetto Misto, and Parma ham all complement a good, appetising selection.

Once again, for my main course I contributed to the demise of the dwindling skate population, though I vowed it would be the last time. It was very good, huge and served with black butter and fresh capers. The comprehensive menu offers the usual Italian variety of specials, pastas, veal in various guises, steaks and also a decent fish selection. Vegetables came as a mixed dish of simply-cooked carrots, potatoes, broccoli and beans.

The wine list is comprehensive and well priced, with wines from most of the Italian regions on offer. New World, French, and German wines are also well represented. My Gavi DOC 2000 white, made from Cortese grapes, gave a dry and fruity flavour on the palate and was good value at £23.95.

The sweet trolley was a little tired and typical of any Italian restaurant. I declined but it was fun watching the waiters swish them expertly around the tables.

Later that day I was talking with another pal of Max's, Hello's ex-Editor-in-Chief Phil Hall. I mentioned the name game with Max. "Really," he said. "Didn't he mention Marlon Brando?" Imagine - Brando, the Godfather, waddling down our local high street."
 

Steve and Julie, Wedding Reception (6th February 2010)

Dear All,

Just a short note to thank you all so much for the wonderful lunch yesterday. So many guests commented on the lovely food and superb service! Thank you for making our wedding day so memorable!
 

Johnny Hanley

Great food and exceptional service are two qualities hard to find when it comes to sourcing a restaurant for 'that special occasion', when one doesn't know the area. To find both is a marriage made in heaven. La Capanna, to put it bluntly, lived up to the recommendation given by a colleague in the media.

First impressions are seldom wrong and the reception area was warm and welcoming, with service within a minute, and never for one second feeling like you had to rush to your table. So 20 minutes or so later, revved up by an excellent Pinot Grigio we sat down. The food then, as it should, took centre stage.

Brown and White Crab, for a starter, set on a nest of an outstandingly flavoursome Beetroot Salsa was sensational. The good lady had an appetising chilly pasta arrangement, which looked 'the business'. However, she developed a liking for mine, and I only avoided an uninvited invasion into my stack, by employing diversionary tactics with the wine (always a winner with my good lady).

The main course set us a tempting poser, the menu testing our tastebuds with several potential options, extensive but just right in terms of choice. We both (to my relief) elected to have a crack at the Venison with a black Truffle Mash, (this way, I could dig deep into hers as well, whilst alerting her to the importance of leaving a space for dessert). The game was right out of the top drawer, cooked to the second, and as moist as the turf at rain softened Kempton Park race track, where she'd just backed four winners (and yes, she did pick them for their names).

The mash was, to put it mildly, gorgeous, and was accompanied by a black truffle flavouring, which was no doubt sourced from one of those clandestine Umbrian Truffle Markets, where the product is kept under lock and key until the Lira is on the table.

La Capanna, as I had been pre warned, was bristling with custom and yet the waiters made service look easy, attentive yet never spoiling the relaxed feel. Nothing was too much trouble and always with a smile ( which the Mrs warmed too, as is she was content enough with hijacking my starter).

Now, Dessert. Bread and butter pudding is a very difficult dish to perfect, does one use a brioche? Sultanas ? I've been trying for years and she's still not happy with it. Well lo and behold, the La Cappanna chefs collected the 'non-chocolate' brownie points, with a simply superb creation. If the first impression was good, well it was getting even better near the end. Served with a delectable vanilla ice cream, this dessert was basically as good as it gets.

I've tried hard to look for a negative, and naturally, there is one: we basically live too far to make it a regular haunt, although at 70 miles maybe there's room for manoeuvre.
 
It wasn't inexpensive yet it didn't break the bank, BUT it was right on the money, and furthermore, beforehand, we were curious as to why La Capanna doesn't have a presence on web site such as Top Table, the answer is simple. It doesn't' have to, it takes care of itself...

Simply Outstanding and a wonderful memory.
 

Tom & Yasmene, Wedding Reception (September 2010)

Dear Matt and Team,

Many thanks for an absolutely amazing day on Friday. Everything about the reception exceeded our expectations, and all our guests kept saying how amazing the food was and what an amazing venue it was. The service was brilliant.

There really aren't any words to express how glad Tom and I are to have come across your restaurant and how grateful we are to you all for making the day what is was.

I am sure we will be coming back to La Capanna for many meals with fond memories.

Many thanks and best wishes to you all.