Firstly I would like to apologise for my delay. Work has been keeping rather busy.

So as anyone who knows me or read my latest entry it was my 25th birthday recently. I had a wonderful time celebrating with my family in my home town. My partner this year really pushed the boat out and treated me to tickets to The Book of Mormon. If you don't know what this is and are not easily offended I would recommend this show to everyone.

Now, lovely though my partner is, he hates London. Hates it. As a treat to me however he decided to put his objections to the side and took me for a grand day out.

This started with a trip to Fleet Street to visit My Pasta Bar. This is the newest venture of Gino D'Acampo. A laid back italian experience in the heart of The Capital. Admittedly we got a little lost and ended up in Covent Garden 1st and ended walking to My Pasta Bar. At least it was a beautiful sunny day. Any other day and I cannot guarantee I would have been so pleasant.

After a long meander through the busy streets we had arrived. My partner opted for a simple slab of pepperoni pizza I opted for . I chose Sedanini Bosciaola, a light mix of crispy pancetta, onions, mushrooms and semi dried tomatoes. It was rather tasty, if not a heavy choice for the type of day it was outside. (Although I did find a few pieces of pizza a smudge underdone for my liking.) The Mr's pizza was also rather delightful suitably cheesy and not heavy on the tomato sauce.

Affordable, tasty and decent coffee for £1.00. Bargain.

La Donna Rating 6/10

The afternoon was completed with a stroll through The British Museum.

The italian theme continued with our pre-theatre dinner.

On my original trip on 17th LuckyGirlTravel and I wandered past Ciccetti in Piccadilly Circus. A window full of lemons, legs of Parma ham and bottles of wine.

Ciccetti is part of the San Carlo Group. It offers authentic Venetian style dishes, similar to the Spanish tapas, in the heart of London's West End. After my recent trip to Venice, this was very exciting to me. Italian food is my true love. Nothing is more perfect to me than a platter of antipasti or perfectly prepared risotto.

Heading to the West End for the evening it was the perfect excuse to drag along the Mr. He can be rather picky but present him with the option of a meaty pizza and he's happy.

The setting was bright and lively inside. The wait staff, of course, were Italians. I find something incredibly comforting about eating italian food while the staff and chefs chatter animatedly in their mother tongue. Also hand making me Lemon Ice Tea. Grazie!

Anyway, to the food.

The Mr was lured by the Four Meat Pizza on the menu in the window. Unfortunately when it came to ordering this was no longer available the wonderful staff arranged to make it especially for him. Bonus points in my eyes for this. I opted for Burrata and Parma Ham with pickled Black Truffle and Lobster Risotto.

Burrata and Parma Ham are a harmonious combination creamy and salty all at once, add in the subtle earthy zing from the pickled truffle and I was complete. Unfortunately for me I ended up having to share as The Mr kept stealing it to add to his pizza. The special pizza was how a pizza should be; hand shaped, crispy thin base and richly spiced italian meats adorned a sweet tomato base.

The Lobster Risotto was delightful. I for one like my risotto to be loose, none of this stacking in a tower business, and thats how this was. Soft and light, flecked with lobster meat and a happy find of a whole claw. Just enough tomato to lift the flavour of the lobster rather than over power and leaving you to wonder if you actually did taste it.

Then came dessert. The Mr chose the Nutella Cake as he has a slight addiction. I have said it before, I'm not one for dessert as a general rule. Exceptions can be made, Tiramisu is one of them. I cannot say no to Tiramisu. So I didn't. It was decadently rich, the gentle heat from Marsala and sweet mascarpone accompanied by bitterness from the coffee soaked sponge. Heaven.

La Donna Rating 7/10

I also threw in a picture with me and Gavin Creel (Elder Price) from The Book of Morman for good measure.

Overall it was a wonderful Birthday.

Gino's Pasta and Cicchetti, 19th May 2014.