Having opened at the tail end of 2022, independently-owned The Italian Sul Lago made to be a must-visit. Boasting scenic lakeside views and a range of classic dishes, we headed over for an Italian lunchtime experience.
Booking ahead was convenient, and I even managed to catch the owner when booking by phone, and he assured me that we’d be taken care of, which made for a warm first impression prior to our visit.
We booked for a Saturday just under a week in advance. At this point, the evening spots were fully booked, but given that we wanted a lunchtime booking, reserving our spot was very smooth. It’s useful to know that the restaurant is popular in the evenings if considering a visit.
Situated next to Furzton Lake, the restaurant already has a key unique selling point, and of course its location is the inspiration behind the restaurant’s name, Sul Lago translating to On the Lake.
The restaurant is modern with enormous windows overlooking the lake. On entry, you stroll through a short corridor adorned in colourful flowers and foliage. It’s immediately Instagrammable, along with the floral tree centrepiece in the downstairs dining area.
As our waitress escorted us to our table on the first floor, the emerald green and royal blue decor exuded luxuriousness, conveying an air of fine dining and class.
Sitting right next to the window, our view of the lake was lovely. I can envisage the venue being a romantic date night spot by the lakeside, especially to catch a sunset. Our table wasn’t in the hustle and bustle of the restaurant, but we really liked our spot, purely for the privacy and the chance to soak up the lakeside view.
The drinks menu is vast, from alcoholic to non-alcoholic options. When deciding, it was satisfying to see a good selection of Italian wines, making for a more authentic experience. Given that my partner and I both fancied seafood, we both opted for a glass of the Parini Pinot Grigio delle Venezie to complement our food choices.
For those who are more cocktail inclined, however, the restaurant has its own pineapple and rum signature, the Sul Lago, along with Italian-themed drinks such as Mamma Mia, Bella Donna and Portogallo. On a summer afternoon, I can imagine this menu having plentiful appeal and Furzton Lake becoming Milton Keynes’ answer to Lake Como!
For my starter, the arancini stood out, purely for promising saffron risotto balls, with beef ragu and an irresistible pecorino fondue. The portion size was just right, and whilst tasty and felt light, I would’ve liked a stronger tomato flavour from the ragu and more beef throughout.
My partner opted for the burrata with black truffle and Parma ham. Burrata is always a favourite, offering a grand affair as the creamy filling oozes out. It definitely didn’t disappoint on spectacle, but is definitely a dish for a truffle lover. Even though the burrata was rich enough, you needed it with every mouthful to balance out the truffle flavour. A little overpowering for me, but my guest had no issue savouring every bite.
With Neapolitan-style pizza, risottos and grilled meats and fish on offer, it was difficult to dismiss some lovely sounding main course options.
With my best attempted pronunciation, I ordered the Linguine’s All’astice, which consists of lobster meat, Marzanino tomatoes, brandy, garlic and chilli. With the vibrant red cooked lobster on the plate, it was both a vision and deliciously meaty, with just the right amount of kick. No complaints on my end, I was just so impressed with how much lobster the dish contained, and at an affordable price.
My partner opted for the oven-baked smoked haddock, submersed in a white wine béchamel and asparagus sauce, served with herb crusted potatoes. Even with just the one mouthful I was able to steal away, I can say it was divine, with all the flavours complementing each other beautifully. He was also a very satisfied customer.
There was an extensive selection of sides, ranging from the rich and indulgent to healthier options. You’d have thought we’d be truffled out from our starter, but we did choose a side of truffle fries which nicely accompanied our mains.
We just about had room for dessert. Enter the Key Lime Pie for me, which was the perfect palate cleanser with a zesty kick, whereas my partner ended his meal with the classic Italian pick-me-up dessert, tiramisu. As a bit of a coffee connoisseur, he complemented the coffee kick of the sumptuous, soaked sponge.
When walking in, we noticed that the restaurant advertises and serves locally roasted speciality coffee from Doe & Fawn, based in Milton Keynes. This was a nice touch, and we asked for our coffee in takeaway cups which we then took with us as we walked off our meals around the lake. This felt like an extra bonus to the experience, becoming an additional activity to our day.
Overall, the staff were very attentive, and we were well looked after, just as the owner promised from that initial call. Throughout our meal, there was an ongoing stream of customers, and we never felt rushed, outstaying many guests who arrived after us. I perhaps would say it lacked some Italian charm in decor, but has a very cosmopolitan feel.
Equally, I would highly recommend the food, so if you’re looking to visit the Italian riviera closer to home, let The Italian Sul Lago be your destination of choice.
This visit was booked anonymously and the food and drink was paid for by the writer.
To make your reservation, visit their website.
