With surroundings that don't do the restaurant any justice, Ditto brings a bit of sophistication to Wandsworth.

The Venue
The decor at Ditto is very stylish and sleek but comes without the stuffiness that is often associated with such good looking venues. Instead, it's nothing but warm and welcoming. The hardwood floors are rustic and add to the restaurant's great character while other features include dark wooden tables and some fantastically colourful artwork on the walls. The prime location during the summer months is right by the big open window, where you can watch the traffic pass by.

The Atmosphere
A mix of couples and groups, the atmosphere is all about relaxed neighbourhood dining. With locals passing by, checking the menu and popping in for a swift bite, and jolly groups of friends catching up at their local restaurant, Ditto isn't overly busy but manages to draw in enough locals to make the restaurant feel inviting.

The Food
With a contemporary menu, Ditto's selection of dishes has both its high and low points. For starters the foie gras is an excellent choice. Combining a very creamy texture with lovely subtle flavours that don't overpower the palate, the dish is served with crispbread (a great change from the usual offer of toast) and caramelised red onions. It's a very moreish dish. The aubergine parmigiana, a couple of slices of the vegetable served with a dashing of tomato sauce and cheesy topping, the dish is satisfactory but doesn't exactly leave you wanting to come back for more as it is slightly bland.

The restaurant shines when it comes to the mains (about £13 each). The grilled tuna steak offers a very generous portion and the quality of the fish is apparent – the flesh is lovely and moist and isn't overpoweringly fishy. The steak is served with a tapenade smeared over the top and presented alongside spinach and olives that add to the freshness of the dish and give it a very Mediterranean feel. The duck is also beautifully cooked and is amazingly tender as the meat just falls off the bone at the touch of your knife and the full flavor of the duck is superb. It’s served on a bed of mushroom risotto which is the perfect accompaniment once you add a touch of seasoning.

For desserts, the sharer platter (around £8) gives a sample of four dishes on the menu. The panna cotta, topped with a strawberry, offers a lovely smooth texture but is somewhat bland and the vanilla cheesecake with toffee dressing is a bit too dry. However the platter's saviors are the ice cream which is thick, rich, and deliciously creamy and the tiramisu which is light and fluffy. Individual desserts start at about £5.

The Drink
There's a stack of wines to choose from but the list isn't too big that you'll get lost trying to make a decision. Bottles are priced from around £13 and up. Try to avoid the Tempranillo rose, as it dries the mouth and isn't the finest choice. There is also a bar if you just want to pop in for a drink and take in Ditto's lovely surrounds.

The Last Word
While Ditto doesn't hit the nail on the head 100 percent of the time, when it does, it does it exceptionally well. A gem of a restaurant for its location, this is a great place for locals, adding a bit of style to East Hill.

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