Where I’ve Eaten
Manteca restaurant – A Shoreditch hot-spot embracing the whole animal: sourcing the highest quality meat, butchered by the chefs to make the most of every cut. There’s an in-house salumeria, wood-fired breads and hand rolled pastas as well superb Italian vegetable dishes and sturdy salads. Bold flavours in a buzzy atmosphere.
Try the bagna cauda with moreish anchovy sauce, the pork and veal stuffed olives; and if you’re game, the unctuous braised pig’s snout.
Dishes from £3-£19
https://www.mantecarestaurant.co.uk/
Brutto trattoria – inspired by the Florentine Trattorias, this Clerkenwell venue has been a hit since it opened last year. Casual, fun and full of atmosphere, this is where to go for anything from a negroni and a plate of crostini with chicken livers, to a full feast of penne con vodka, bistecca alla Fiorentina and finish with decadent tiramisu. Russell Norman has channelled everything we love about Florentine dishes and delivered it to us in London.
Dishes from £4-£15
6 Portland road restaurant – There’s a relaxed, neighbourhood vibe in this cosy Holland Park venue. The daily changing Modern European menu is short and seasonally inspired, including a daily lunchtime set menu during the week (£24 for 3 courses) and traditional roast beef and crumble on Saturday and Sunday.
I loved the slip sole with seaweed butter and Ratte potatoes and the roast quince with chestnut cream and chocolate.
Dishes from £5-£36
https://sixportlandroad.com/
This article originally appeared in the March edition of House & Garden magazine.
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