Cinquecento

One of the desserts that catches the eye at Cinquecento is Eton mess, reimagined with a distinctive twist. Crisp meringue is paired with rum-raisin ice cream and lemon-scented cheese cream, then served with seasonal strawberries. Visitors have also singled out the meringue’s delicate crunch and the rum-raisin ice cream. It is described as not too sweet, making it an appealing choice when you fancy dessert with a little something different.

For strawberries, there are parfaits and French toast to choose from. The strawberry parfait combines a generous amount of fruit with vanilla ice cream, cornflakes and condensed milk; diners have commented on both the quantity of fruit and how substantial it is. In peach season, the “Adult Peach Parfait” layers a whole 1 peaches’ worth of fruit with tea jelly, granola and rum-raisin ice cream, with rum syrup served on the side if you like. Some diners return each year for the peach parfait, while others have enjoyed it alongside French toast.

For a more substantial meal, the lasagne plate layers meat sauce with béchamel and comes with a choice of brown rice or baguette. One diner who returned after enjoying the lasagne on an earlier visit recommended the lasagne plate with baguette. It makes a satisfying lunch, with a choice of accompaniment. For something lighter, try the tuna and onion toasted sandwich or the mixed sandwich. Diners have shared their impressions of the mixed sandwich, too, and the menu offers meals from breakfast and brunch through to lunch.

The drinks list goes beyond coffee to include tea, tea soda and seasonal fruit tea soda. Café Gelée, a café au lait with coffee jelly, is described as a summer-only dessert drink—a tempting way to round off a meal with something sweet to sip.