Marco Polo brought noodles from China to Venice, where they became spaghetti - or so the story goes. In fact, pasta has been known in Italy since antiquity. Some scholars even think Marco Polo's accounts of his travels in the Far East were made up, based on hearsay. Which brings us to Point Pleasant in Wandsworth, a sinking, stinking riverside quagmire named by Queen Victoria in a rare moment of wit. It's recently been reclaimed and developed, and although it's not exactly Little Venice, you will find some spanking new residential developments here that are richer than the doges' palaces. Riverside Quarter is bumper-to-BMW-bumper with new money, and where better to spend it than a chic Italian trattoria?

On a sunny Saturday lunchtime, dog walkers, hoorays and parents with tiny tots were dining outside under big canvas umbrellas; the spick-and-span interior of polished white surfaces and dark wood furniture couldn't lure diners inside. A lot of thought has gone into the design details, from the big glass plates to the turbo charged air-dryers in the loos. And the food's no afterthought.

Like the best Italian food, the menu's simple, but done well. Casarecci pasta served with a ragu made from wild boar and rosemary was full-flavoured, and the pasta correctly al dente. A swordfish steak was grilled to just-done, with a Sicilian style dressing of salmoriglio, which is like a light salsa verde, consisting mostly of olive oil, lemon, parsley and mint. Slivers of seared tuna were served on a moreish salad of borlotti beans with spring onions and herbs. Our only churlish quibble would be that the plates were floridly garnished, with too many flourishes of extraneous leaves and drizzles, but that's a bit like complaining that the Pope's too Catholic. If you fancy something simpler, the big pizzas look good and start from £7.95 for a Margherita.

There are few better places to have lunch outdoors on a sunny day.

Newly opened restaurant Marco Polo sits at the fashionable new address of Riverside Quarter, with splendid views of the Thames River, surrounded by the modern and stylish new apartments, it is fast becoming a favourite location to explore and dine south of the river.

Spectacular is the key word. As I approached the restaurant, it was easy to mistake the huge white Marco Polo parasols for boat sails, setting the scene for a relaxed evening. Happily, this setting affected the staff, who were friendly, relaxed but effective in an attentive way.

On the first floor, colourful bottles of a well stocked bar reflected in the sun behind doors that fully open to a terrace making the most of the view. The second floor houses the gallery dining space with dark timber furniture, wine glasses, and neatly folded napkins - reflecting the tradition of elegant dining. No matter what mood you are in, Marco Polo is cleverly designed to suit your desires, each seat offering uncompromising views of the River.

The menu is extensive with a South Italian influence, dishes are titled in familiar culinary tradition and it is surprisingly inexpensive. Head chef Pietro Pontone, armed with over 20 years experience, laboured over his menu for 5 to 6 months ­ I could think of worse jobs! His mantra is to keep meals balanced light and fresh.

Standout appetizers include the Tonno Fresco e Borlotti of fresh tuna and Borlotti beans, lightly dressed with honey and lemon and Formaggio di Capra con Carciofini a toasted goat's cheese with marinated baby artichokes.

Favourite mains include Chiatarre allo Scoglio fresh hand made spaghetti with langoustine, monkfish and scallops in a light lobster and cream sauce; and Petto d'Oca al Cedro a wild goose breast in tangy red wine coulis.

For those with a sweet tooth, the dessert menu offers imaginative and agreeably Italian tempters. Taste them delicately or do the natural thing and devour them like we did!

Marco Polo is a true contemporary dining experience catering for a all occasions from a casual lunch with the kids, romantic dinner for two, alfresco dining experience and corporate training room with the latest inbuilt technology - an ideal location for functions, parties, weddings and christenings.

The latest business to open at LCR Developments: Riverside Quarter is Marco Polo on the River, bringing fine Italian dining to the Point Pleasant, SW18 area, just across the river from the exclusive Hurlingham Club and adjacent to Wandsworth Park. Reservations for tables are being taken from 7th August. In addition to the 80-seat restaurant and 20-seat private dining room, customers can dine outside in fine weather on the 100-seat terrace. Marco Polo is open seven days a week and offers an extensive à la carte menu, a daily specials menu, cocktails and an exquisite selection of wines.

Marco Polo is the sister restaurant of the popular La Nonna, Wimbledon. La Nonna's Pietro Pontone has now joined Marco Polo as executive head chef. He describes the style of cuisine as contemporary fused with the traditional, hearty Italian-style food he learned to cook from a young age at his father's restaurant near Rome. The 25-strong team has been selected and trained to provide friendly but unobtrusive service in a chic environment.

Signature dishes include: rocket salad with figs and parma ham, to start; followed by monkfish feuilleté with lobster, prawn and walnut sauce; and as a dessert, aumonière, a light pastry with crème Chantilly, fresh pear and Calvados. For those wanting a simpler lunch or supper, Marco Polo also serves authentic Italian pizza and an impressive range of tempting pasta dishes such as chitarro allo scoglio, a square fresh egg spaghetti with langoustine, monkfish and king scallops.

Coffee, pastries and custom-made smoothies are available from 10am and as the terrace is equipped with encrypted WiFi broadband access, it's the ideal place for business meetings. Should clients wish to hold more formal meetings, the private dining room, which seats up to 20 people is also fully equipped with data presentation technology, covering venue hire, breakfast, coffee, lunch and afternoon tea for all delegates. Bookings for corporate awaydays and training sessions have already been received.