Find me anyone who doesn’t love good hearty classic Italian cooking – I challenge you. When it comes to home comforts, pasta has to be one of those dishes I could never get bored with and even when it’s not at its best – it’s still somehow satisfying. Especially when mopped up with some good bread and washed down with some delicious red wine. La Tagliata in Fitzrovia is only the good things of all of those and actually took my by surprise. Offering uncomplicated cooking, but utilising quality ingredients to create dishes packed with flavour.
Once we settled in out of the cold and ordered a fantastic bottle of wine, we tucked into our starters. First out was the buffalo mozzarella served with mixed leaves, cherry tomatoes and Sicilian caponata. The mozzarella was creamy and full-flavoured, the drizzle of olive oil tasted of quality, but that caponata was the star. So good in fact I wished we’d asked for their recipe. I’ve made similar variations at home myself, but never have they tasted this good. Equally as good were the king prawns in a spicy tomato sauce. Spice wise, I’d have been happy with a little more, but the tomato sauce was lovely and the prawns cooked perfectly. There were also a lot of prawns in that ramekin (even if my camera somehow makes it look tiny) – so come hungry!
Choices for main courses here at La Tagliata are full of all my favourite things. From marinated tuna steaks, to grilled fillets of lamb and home-made pastas. We ordered the la tagliata di manzo which is the most famous dish of this restaurant and a staple of Italian cooking. They’ve used the of finest British beef, which is served alongside rocket leaves, cherry tomatoes and Parmesan shavings. For an extra charge you can add your favourite sauce, but personally it didn’t need it. The steak was richly flavoured and well aged, had a nice smokiness from the grill running through it and the whole thing was very well seasoned. The sides of garlic rosemary roast potatoes and pan roasted vegetables were the perfect accompaniments too. If you come here, don’t leave without ordering this dish.
Pasta should be high up on your order list here too, especially this ravioli filled with pumpkin and ricotta cheese, which is then smothered in the most delicious gorgonzola sauce and topped with toasted nuts. I absolutely adore ravioli and this didn’t disappoint, though like the rest of the food it was very large in size, so save some room.
For dessert, a good old Italian classic – tiramisu. This one was made up of layers of Savoiardi biscuits soaked in espresso coffee, topped with mascarpone cream and dusted with chocolate. Rich, creamy, decadent – just the way I like it. Presentation was a little simple, but the flavour was what counts and it had lots of it.
I really enjoyed our meal at La Tagliata and if in the area, I’d most certainly come back. I wasn’t particularly blown away by the decor and the dishes could perhaps be presented differently for a little more wow factor (as we all eat with our eyes first), but the food, service and wine was spot on. If you enjoy classic Italian food made with love, then you’ll love this place just as much as we did.
NB: My meal was complimentary. All views are as always, my own. My views are not influenced by anyone other than my own palate and slightly poor eyesight.
I lovely homely Italian food!