Classic Italian cookery to keep you coming back for more is the drawn of Spitalfields restaurant, La Tagliata.
Amid a tangle of Spitalfield lanes being filled rapidly with fancy restaurants and upscale boutiques, is La Tagliata. It’s a classy but comfy sort of place – intimate and attractive (especially if you like artist Modigliani) with seating areas divided into little rooms. Prices are more than reasonable than most nearby options, and the food is terrific.
As anyone with some knowledge of Italian cuisine might surmise from this restaurant’s name, steak features prominently on the menu. And without doubt diners in search of a deeply satisfying tagliata di manzo (cut of British sirloin sliced and served on a bed of rocket with cherry tomatoes, Parmesan and Balsamic glaze, £19) need look no further. Although, if hankering for an even more gratifying main course, they might request another meaty menu item – La Sublime (seven ounce, minimum 28 days dry-aged beef from selected UK farmers with fleur de sel and rosemary, £28). I relished every juicy bite of mine served alongside a side order of garlic and rosemary roast potatoes (£3).
Just as pleasing as the namesake steak is the freshly made pasta. A starter course of tagliatelle al limone (£6 as a starter, £9 as a main) roused my palate and piqued my interest. Its lusciously creamy (but non-dairy, made with egg white) lemon sauce was a revelation, and worth many a repeat visit to enjoy again and again.
Also meriting consideration for becoming a returning customer is the melanzane alla Parmigiana (layers of deep fried aubergines with tomato sauce, Parmesan, mozzarella and fresh basil, £6 as a starter, £10 as a main). Wow. Not that I’ve had all that many Parmigianas in London, but I reckon that was by far the best I’ve tried in town.
A warm reception and competent service added to the relaxing tone of my meal. A bottle of house Primativo from the decidedly Italian wine list paired nicely with the dishes. A few scoops of homemade gelato (£6 for three scoops) did the trick as an end of meal treat.
La Tagliata is located at 11 Sandy’s Row, E1 7HW. Find out more at la-tagliata.com.
