Returning from the Springleaf pre-launch event in London town, I do the maths on the timings and make a call as to whether, really quite fancying some pasta, I would be able to sneak into Cotto, the wine bar run by the Bianchi’s Group, on my way home from the station. I satisfyingly conclude that I would indeed be able to. Unfortunately, this spur of the moment decision means I’m not treated to my usual perks when going to Cotto, so no welcome glass of prosecco. Bah. This doesn’t put too much of a dampener on the evening, though. I treat myself to much more than I thought I would (how naive was I). What was going to be a simple bit of pasta expands quickly to some arancini (how could I not?), some olives (it would be rude not to), an excellent dish of cacio e pepe served with bucatini (a classic), and a tiramisu (was there ever a universe in which I wasn’t getting a dessert?). The bill comes to substantially more than I anticipated at the beginning of my train journey home, but I have in no way been shortchanged. It’s always a treat to be at Cotto, and I dream of the next time I’ll be there for the lunch deal.