Lupino

We had dinner with T and W at Lupino in Flinders Lane (just down from Spring St).    According to the website, it had just re-opened after chef Marco  had returned from Italy.   Full marks to him for not delegating the task while he was away.

It's a plainly furnished but stylish venue, with an open kitchen and it seems to be one of the "in" places at present.   On the night we were there, it was busy, and the tables appeared to be regularly turned over, with early diners, intermediate diners and late diners.  We were told at 7.24 that we were early for our booking, and would have a 6 minute wait - which is exactly how it turned out!  As we left, there were people eating at the bar (perhaps they didn't have reservations?)

In the dark, it would have been easy to walk past it, but I've since read that it's marked by the red neon wolf’s head above the front door.

Interesting Italian menu.   We especially enjoyed the spicy pepper and celery soup, and I liked the gnocchi formaggi (a four-cheese sauce high on gorgonzola!)  I'm told the spaghetti marinara was good, too.

Service was OK, and prices were not too bad, bearing in mind that this is a CBD bistro.