Vito’s

Here’s a test, perhaps even an offer you can’t refuse: While waiting for your sandwich or cake — and very nice they are — see whether you can avoid whistling The Godfather theme. I’ve tried and I cannot.
And, with Pacino eyeballing you from every corner, it’s not just the décor with the feel of the Corleone clan… every sandwich on the menu is named after a character in Coppola’s masterpiece (well, masterpieces; and I think we can agree to ignore Part III). If you’ve always wanted to sink your teeth into a Luca Brasi or Consigliere Tom Hagen, this is the place. Everyone is accounted for, apart from the horse’s head, of course.
The venue, unlike Connie’s wedding, is compromised for space, but it would just about be okay but for, regrettably, some less-​than-​perfect service. On three separate occasions, at least one order among my party has been incorrect — and not always rectified when brought back. It put silly into Sicilian.
I don’t take offence — it wasn’t my daughter’s wedding day after all — and, unlike Fredo, it didn’t break my heart. You just wonder what Don Corleone would make of it all: «my sandwich, my beautiful sandwich.» A café based on a masterpiece deserves better.

This unusual and wonderfully exclusive Italian-​themed café offers reasonably priced food and drink and an elegant, very pleasant atmosphere. Inside, almost every table benefits from large, comfortable leather armchairs and the walls are laden with canvas prints and photographs depicting famous scenes from the Godfather movies. The café is sizeable and airy, the tables are well spaced apart and wooden flooring and mid-​room pillars enhance the luxurious ambience.
The Italian theme continues even more once you pick up a menu, as most sandwiches and dishes are named after the gangster franchise’s most popular characters. There are also large flat-​screen televisions on the walls and enticing homemade cakes on display at the counter.
Perhaps the best thing about the place, however, is that the swanky set-​up and plush interior are in a way, misleading. That’s right. Café Vito’s prices are surprisingly cheap. I paid £4.45 for a cheese, tomato and pesto Panini (Or a ‘Michael Corleone’ in Café Vito terms), which came with chips and coleslaw; proving this coffee shop-​come-​Italian eatery to be much more reasonable than The Deli just over the road, which prices its sandwiches and baguettes at £9 plus! I also ordered a latte, which was smooth and creamy, yet just strong enough for my liking. Café Vito’s seems to tick all the right boxes and I can safely say that I’ll definitely be stopping by again in the near future!