I went to a new Italian restaurant in Cheam, and I think this is one of the greatest things to happen to the village this year.
Eco, on 23 The Broadway, only opened a few months ago, and it’s the kind of place that makes you wonder how a village like Cheam has gone so long without it.
The moment you walk in, you’re greeted by a real tree inside, as in a full-sized, leafy tree (which I’m 90 per cent sure is real), which somehow sets the tone for the rest of the experience.
The atmosphere was buzzing in the best way possible.
There’s laughter at every table, people chatting with the kind of easy energy that makes you want to linger, and the staff seem genuinely happy to welcome diners in.
Walking through Eco, you don’t just feel like a guest; you feel like part of the family.
I decided to go for the autumn specials while they were still on the menu.
For my starter, I ordered the cured salmon carpaccio, which came with smashed avocado, tomato, red and green chili, and dill (£10.90).
Now, full disclosure: many of these ingredients are things I don’t usually eat.
While I love salmon, I’ve never really enjoyed avocado, I avoid tomatoes, I don’t willingly bite chillies, and if you asked me to tell you what dill is, I’d be lost.
But somehow, in this dish, all of these elements came together perfectly.
The salmon was delicate, the avocado added a creaminess that tied everything together, the chilli gave just the right amount of kick, and the dill added a fragrant freshness I hadn’t expected but completely appreciated.
It was a light and vibrant start, but this was just the beginning.
Next came the main event: chicken parmigiana which is pan-fried chicken escalope with cherry tomato sauce and melted mozzarella, served with spaghetti, priced at £17.90.
I’ve always had a thing about spaghetti: it has to come with sauce you can mop up.
Some places disappoint, serving spaghetti as if it were just plain noodles with a side of meat, but this dish was exactly what I wanted.
The chicken was tender, the cheese melted perfectly over it, and the sauce was rich, flavourful, and balanced just right with the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes.
I added more cheese because, like with butter, I believe anything’s good with enough cheese.
By the end, I was very full, but there was no way I could skip dessert after such a stellar meal.
For dessert, I chose the chocolate brownie with ice cream, and my friend went for the cheesecake.
Honestly, the cheesecake was so good that we ended up sharing, and I’m glad we did.
It hit that perfect balance of creamy and sweet without being overly rich, which is rare.
The brownie, meanwhile, was dense, fudgy, and paired beautifully with the ice cream, creating a contrast of temperatures and textures that made each spoonful better than the last.
From start to finish, my evening at Eco was remarkable.
The food was outstanding, the service was warm and attentive without ever being overbearing, and the atmosphere felt simultaneously lively and welcoming.
It’s clear that Eco is a place where the people behind the restaurant care deeply about their guests’ experience, and it shows in every detail.
Cheam residents are incredibly lucky to have this on their doorstep, and I have no hesitation in recommending it.
Whether you’re looking for a cosy dinner with friends, a family meal, or just a night out, Eco delivers on every level.
