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L'Anima
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It may be located on the frontier of Shoreditch and the City, but the ushers at the door of this swish new venue immediately clarify which side of the border it belongs to. The minimalist interior is all clean lines, floor-to-ceiling glass, stark white linen and modernist leather chairs. Calabrian chef Francesco Mazzei heads up the kitchen with a pan-Italian menu served brasserie-style throughout the day. Specialities include a faultless fritto misto, the Venetian fried seafood favourite, while southern influences are apparent in the use of ingredients such as Sardinian fregola (couscous-like pasta) and burrata cheese from Apulia. Our mains, including an unremarkable fish stew, did not quite live up to the expectation created by the high prices. Desserts – such as an imaginative combination of baked peach scented with passion-fruit and lavender – are a stronger point and also beautifully presented. Not an everyday dining destination then, unless you have the deep pockets or expense account that doesn’t demand dazzling food for these prizes.
Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009
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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.
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Details
- 1 Snowden Street, City, EC2A 2DQ
- Area: City
- Tel: 020 7422 7000
- www.lanima.co.uk
- Book online
- Category: Italian
- Travel: Liverpool Street tube/rail
- Times: Bar Open 11am-midnight Mon-Fri; 5.30pm-11pm Sat Restaurant Lunch served noon-3pm Mon-Fri, dinner served 5.30-11pm Mon-Sat
- Price: Bar Main courses £7.50-£20. Restaurant Main courses £12.50-£25.50. Both Set lunch £20.50 2 courses, £23.50 3 courses
- Credit cards: AmEx, DC, MC, V
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Hi there, I'm 36 yo ordinary guy living in Hackney close to Victoria Park and love it around here, I see so many people doing cool things around...
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A 3rd visit to l'Anima does not disappoint. The service is faultless, discreet yet friendly, a wonderful combination of attention to detail plus knowledgeable, relaxed yet attentive waiting staff - particularly Vladimir.
We shared two entrees; pasta ravioli, and the pasta with wild boar - both delicious, light, and neither too heavy.
The back pork belly is the best I've had; the crackling perfectly cooked, the soft pork and olive mash were perfect. Double-cooked potato was delicious. My partner had the signature dish - beef tagliata, which was beautifully soft, melt-in-the-mouth and exactly how good beef can taste. The deep fried courgettes were crisp and light, with not a hint of fat; and a new addition for Autumn - the brocolli with garlic and chilli - was also very tasty.
Friends who visited on a Friday were disappointed with the 'lack of atmosphere, but apparently Friday's are very quiet. I'd recommend going there on another night if you prefer a buzzier environment.
The ultra cool bar with white leather furniture offset with against the green/grey stone walls wouldn't look out of place in the West End. I recommend getting to l'Anima early to relax & have a drink in the bar before sitting down to eat.
I hope l'Anima weathers the credit crunch, as the food and atmosphere make this a restaurant I'll return to time and again!!