Set lunch given the thumbs up

Apr 30 2009 Buckinghamshire Advertiser

GREG BURNS eats at Rucola Italian Restaurant, 1 Chalfont Road, Little Chalfont, HP7 9PS Tel: 01494 762 498

THERE are a few things that are constant in a journalist's weekly diary: interviews, meetings and deadlines. But my favourite has to be the working lunch, and it was on a beautiful, sunny Thursday afternoon that my colleague Suzy and I headed out for said meal.

Suzy, having eaten there before, recommended Rucola Italian Restaurant in Little Chalfont for its relaxing setting and £9 set lunch menu. The set lunch menu offers a wide variety of starters and main courses. 'A bargain', I thought, but had yet to taste the food itself.

Modern and inviting the restaurant is a lovely setting for a quick lunch, and as we sat down I was impressed with the choice of starters available, from bruschetta to a variety of enticing Italian salads.

To get a good variety I had the bruschetta and Suzy opted for the rocket salad with Parmesan cheese.

Tucking into the complimentary bread and olive oil dip we did not have to wait long for our starters to arrive, which certainly did not disappoint.

The portions were on the large side for starters but that was soon forgotten once we started eating - it was delicious.

Shamefully overlooking the veal or salmon for another day we both settled for a good old fashioned pizza - Suzy deciding on a margherita and me a pepperoni with black olives.

Again, the speed of service was admirable. The restaurant is obviously well used to serving busy lunchers who do not have the time to sit and wait ages for their food.

The pizza bases were thin and not too filling and, most importantly, they were not greasy as some pizzas can be.

With the clock ticking we had to bypass the desserts, but overall our working lunch experience at Rucola was extremely pleasant, and with even more alluring dishes on the set menu it will certainly be a place we will be returning to.