Il Castelletto is a small Italian and Mediterranean restaurant at 17 Bury Place in Bloomsbury. Set close to the British Museum and within walking distance of Holborn, it offers a calm, informal dining room away from the busiest surrounding streets.
The menu focuses on accessible Italian cooking, with antipasti and salads followed by a substantial choice of pasta. Spaghetti carbonara and Bolognese sit alongside filled pasta, gnocchi, linguine and richer cream or mushroom sauces, giving diners both familiar and less expected combinations.
Pizza, meat and seafood dishes broaden the selection for groups that do not all want pasta. Mediterranean vegetables, herbs, tomato, olive oil and cheese form the recurring flavour base, while daily or seasonal choices allow the kitchen to use ingredients at their best.
Its central position makes Il Castelletto practical for lunch during a museum visit, a pre-theatre dinner or an unhurried evening meal. Desserts and wine complete the experience, and diners with allergies, intolerances or other dietary needs should confirm the latest recipes with staff.
Address: 17 Bury Place, London WC1A 2JB, England
Il Castelletto Menu
Salads
SALMONE ALLA GRIGLIA
Grilled salmon with creamy honey sauce served with vegetables
INSALATA IL CASTELLETTO
Mixed leaves with bacon, avocado, goat cheese and walnuts
INSALATA DI POLLO
Chicken Ceaser salad with lettuce, croutons, parmesan cheese and dressing
INSALATA NAPOLI
Mixed leaves salad topped with mozzarella, tomatoes, avocado and sizzled with balsamic dressing and pesto sauce
INSALATA MISTA
Mixed salad
INSALATA RUCOLA E PARMEGIANO
Rocket and parmesan salad
Sides
PATATINE FRITTE
Chips
PATATE ARRUSTO
Roast potatoes
VERDURE AL VAPORE
Mixed steamed vegetables
Fish
TROTA ALLA SICILIANA
Grilled whole trout in wine, capers, olives and tomato sauce served with vegetables
MERLUZZO AL CASTELLETTO
Grilled cod with onion, tomato and wine sauce served with steamed vegetables
SPIGOLA ALLA GRIGLIA
Whole seabass with broccoli, chilli and garlic
Meat
BORDO CARNE/ MEAT BOARD
Parma Ham, cured ham, salami and peperoni served with salad and bread
FILETTO ALLA GRIGLIA
Grilled fillet steak served with chips
BISTECCA ALLA GRIGLIA
Grilled sirloin steak served with chips
HAMBURGER DI MANZO
Beef burger with lettuce, tomato, onion and cornichons served with chips
SCALOPPINE VALDOSTANA
Sliced veal topped with Parma ham and parmesan cheese dash of tomato sauce served with roast potatoes
SCALOPPINE AL LIMONE
Sliced veal cooked in wine and lemon sauce served with steamed vegetables
POLLO ALLA MILANESE
Breaded pan fried chicken served with spaghetti
STINCO DI AGNELLO
Lamb shank served with roast potatoes or vegetables
FEGATO ALLA VENEZIANA
Pan fried calves liver cooked in sautéed onions and gravy served with roast potatoes
POLLO ALLA CACCIATORA
Chicken breast cooked with onion, peppers and mushroom sauce served with spaghetti
POLLO CON FUNGI
Chicken breast cooked in creamy mushroom sauce served with vegetables
Pizza
PIZZA CALZONE
Folded pizza stuffed with cheese , ham and mushrooms shined with egg
Cheese
FORMAGGI/ CHEESE BOARD
Taleggio, goat cheese, manchego and blue cheese served with orange marmalade and crackers
Starters
POLPETTE RUSTICO DI MANZO
Rustic beef meatballs cooked in tomato sauce
Pasta
SPAGHETTI ALLA CARBONARA
Based on cream, egg yolk and bacon
SPAGHETTI POLPETTE
Tomato base meat ball spaghetti
SPAGHETTI ALLA BOLOGNESE
Freshly made minced beef sauce
SPAGHETTI ALLA NAPOLETANA
Classic home-made tomato sauce
Red Wine
Villa Rossi Sangiovese, Rubicone Soledoro, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
A smooth and easy-drinking red wine with a delicate aroma and flavours of red fruits.
Amarone Costasera Classico, Masi, Veneto, Italy
Bright and intense on the nose with aromas of preserved cherries and dried plums together with hints of fruits of the forest and cinnamon. Good weight from the alcohol and structured on the palate, opening out to attractive aromas of cherries and vanilla.
Barolo Ricossa, Sulpiano, Piedmont, Italy
A wine of ruby red color with garnet hues, an ethereal, intense perfume and a dry, full, robust, austere but velvety and harmonious body.
Cannonau I Fiori, Pala,Sardinia, Italy
Grenache by any other name, Cannonau here gives a delicious wine full of peppery summer-berry fruit, ripe and round to begin with, then nicely dry on the finish
Castel Firmian Merlot, Mezzacorona Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Intense fragrance with a mixture of ripe fruits and a hint of oak. Dry, complex and well structured on the palate.
Santa Cristina Chianti Superiore
A classic Chianti, offering aromas of red berry fruit, with vanilla and floral hints of violets. Flavoursome, medium bodied palate, fresh in structure and with a delicious balance of fruit and savoury notes.
Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico, Masi,Veneto, Italy
Intense aromas of fresh cherries and raspberries accompanied by hints of spices such as cloves. Refreshing on the palate with a long finish of vanilla and cherry notes
Castel Firmian Cabernet Sauvignon, Mezzacorona, Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy
Intense, complex flavour with spicy notes, hints of eucalyptus and sweet fruit, and a fragrant scent of oak. Well balanced and full bodied.
Regaleali Rosso Nero d'Avola, Tasca, Sicily, Italy
Notes of cherry, mulberry, black cherry, blueberry, vanilla and sage on the nose. Velvety and balanced in the mouth.
Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Barrique Aged, Itynera Abruzzi, Italy
A concentrated, juicy Montepulciano with earthy cherry and berry flavours, a round yet spicy palate, and a smooth, fruity finish.
Itynera Primitivo, Puglia, Italy
Attractive ruby red in colour with a persistent, juicy palate of baked fruits and some tobacco notes
White Wine
GAVI DI GAVI LA CONTESSA PIEDMONT
Great texture and precision, with distinctive greengage and almond notes on the palate. Fresh and dry, this is particularly characterful of Gavi.
TORMARESCA CHARDONNAY, PUGLIA
Bright, fruity, medium bodied Chardonnay showing the purity and richness of Puglian fruit
CASTEL FIRMIAN PINOT GRIGIO TRENTINO-ALTO ADIGE
Very clean, nicely balanced Pinot Grigio with a gentle floral aroma, good weight in the mouth, and a refreshing finish.
CAMPOGRANDE ORVIETO CLASSICO SECCO UMBRIA
The nose shows both floral and fruity notes, particulary pineapple and banana, while the palate is medium bodied, with more fruit and a round, delicate finish.
REGALEALI BIANCO, TASCA, SICILY
Delicately fruity nose with apple, peach and pink grapefruit notes. The palate is quite intense and crisp, with plenty of fresh fruit flavours.
ITYNERA GRILLO, SICILY
This blend of Sicilian Sauvignon Blanc with the island’s traditional Grillo grape Gives a fresh wine with notes of citrus and tropical fruit and round harmonious palate.
VILLA ROSSI TREBBIANO, RUBICONE EMILIA-ROMAGNA
Crispy, dry and fruity, with a delicate nutty aroma. Young and fresh.
Sparkling & Rosé
PROSECCO CONSOLE, VENETO
A classic Prosecco with aromas of white peach, pear and flowers.
NINA ZINFANDEL BLUSH, PUGLIA
Inviting aromas of redcurrants and orange zest, followed by creamy medium dry palate showing a nice balance of sweetness and fruit flavours.