Reviews Al Boccon Di'vino Is Non Solo Vino

Al Boccon di’vino (a mouthful of wine) is a simply marvellous dining experience. Located in Richmond, this hole in the wall Italian restaurant puts on a Sunday lunch spread like no other. I was thankful for dining with a native Italian as it was truly transporting and I could imagine being tucked away in a little Italian village somewhere in the countryside.

I love Italian cuisine and there was a place in Richmond I was quite keen to visit. Al Boccon Di'Vino opened by Riccardo Grigolo originally from Venice. His place a small, cozy, with great atmosphere Venetian place. The decor based on Modigliani replicas, wine boxes, David, and the Leaning Tower will make you feel like you're in a countryside Italian homemade food restaurant. No menu policy, so you will eat what Riccardo prepared for that day, basically they come with the pan in hand and serve your food into your plate. Also no wine list, if you want wine you will get the house wine, which was quite nice by the way.

Fantastic, quaint, Venetian style restaurant.
Recently booked a table of four on a Wednesday night, completely unaware just what we were about to get ourselves into.
Upon arrival we found a small restaurant with an eclectic collection of decorations. From the vast number of decorative Italian wine bottles, to the painting of a rather well endowed Michaelangelo's David.

Once the rest of my party had arrived, a rather spritly woman, with a thick Italian accent approaches the table and demands if any of us have any dietary requirements.
Turns out there is no menu at Al Boccon di'Vino. Not even a wine list. As the choice is brought down to "white or red?" and then "house or £50 bottle?" (You are also able to select from the vast array of Italian wines in display throughout the restaurant.)

The food selection is chosen for you, and as soon as you are ready, platter after platter after platter after platter of antipasti, secondi's and pastas will make its way to the table over a course of three hours. Each as delicious as the last. Until all thirty dinners, decided into 10 to 12 tables, have their final pasta platter taken away before the presentation of what was, the most magnificent, golden suckling pig I have ever lay my eyes on.

To conclude, although initially disappointed in not being able to choose what I eat. And being presented with a rather limited wine selection, I would now happily place all of my life's culinary decisions in the highly talented hands of the chef(s) at Al Boccon di'Vino.

Truly an experience worth having whenever you have a large appetite and a restful day the next day for digestion.

Insane amount of food. No menu. Chef cooks whats on the market and makes the menu for the day.
It's fresh, it's rustic, it's Italian, it's friendly, it's authentic. Up to 8 to 10 tasting plates in one meal, and not shy on portions. Don't eat lunch if you go for dinner!
Shame i' s so far in Richmond and it s fully booked months in advance but I absolutely love it.