Hampstead’s Hidden Treasure

Italian bombshell Sophia Loren once purred in characteristic fashion, “Everything you see, I owe to spaghetti.”  If only we could all look like her after dining exclusively at Hidden Treasure in Hampstead.

Hidden Treasure is a quaint restaurant located on West End Lane in West Hampstead.  The dining room is cozy and intimate; the terrace? Heated and covered for comfortable al fresco dining even during inclement weather.  The warmth of the staff rivals that of a Sicilian sun.  They are helpful, prompt, and friendly.

We first lingered over some well-chosen Bonacchi Chianti, rolling it around in our stemware, hoping it would never end…and when it did, we solved the apparent crisis by ordering more!  Next,  nibbling some crostinis was naturally in order.  But although tasty, they were certainly not Hidden Treasure’s strong suit.

But then came the mains–THE MAINS!  choosing from the extensive menu of freshly-prepared, never-heat-lamped items was one of my most difficult decisions this week.  I vacillated wildly between the gnocchi al gorgonzola with home-made gnocchi and creamily divine blue cheese sauce, the spicy penne diavolo with devilish peperoni picante and rich tomato sauce, and the gnocchi al salmone in a succulent rose sauce with fresh, tender morsels of salmon. Our server advised that the gnocchi al salmone was one of the best items on the menu.  And was she ever right! Other hits at the table included the spaghetti alla Carbonara and a rich beef stew that happened to be one of the evening’s specials.

If that wasn’t enough, dessert was essentially a one-way trip to orgasmo-central station.  As a tiramisu aficionado, I was all but bowled over by Hidden Treasure’s fluffy mascarpone, perfectly booze-and-coffee-infused lady fingers, and gentle dusting of cocoa.  Unlike many other tiramisu’s I’ve had, it did not–in any way at all–taste like refrigerator.  Also on offer was a divine strawberry cheesecake with the freshest of strawberries coulis.

Pricing:

Now, this was in no way a budget evening.  But with three courses, wine, and service, the bill came to around 30 GBP per person, which is a bargain price for the quality of the experience.

Getting there:

Take the Jubilee line, get off at West Hampstead.  Turn right at the exit. Follow West End Lane to number 311.