Gotto Trattoria, the rustic sister restaurant to Soho’s Mele e Pere, takes up a prime spot in Hackney Wick’s Here East development, opening up onto the canal. With al fresco tables, a super light and airy interior, and vermouth on tap, you could easily believe you were on the Italian – rather than the Hackney – Riviera. Vermouth is their signature drink, in fact they were hosting a vermouth masterclass at the kitchen counter during our visit, so defo start your meal by sampling one of these…they go down a treat with the salty, crunchy broad beans.
On the food front, it’s a changing menu of simple and unfussy southern Italian food, split across sharing plates, pastas, alla brace (barbecued meat) and desserts. You could quite easily order exclusively from the small plates; the varied selection features olives, focaccia, cured meats, seafood and salads, including light and crispy fritto misto and moreish pork and pancetta bombette with cacio cheese sauce. But you definitely don’t want to miss the pastas, especially the courgette flower ravioli…fat, juicy pillows of pasta filled with a zesty courgette cream topped off with generous shavings of Umbria black truffle. SO GOOD.
[URIS id=71145]Like the rest of the menu, the puds focus on clean, simple flavours…the goat milk ice cream with blackberries and balsamic vinegar was the right balance of sweet and savoury, and light enough to enjoy, even after all that pasta. Whether you want a four course feast or a cold glass and some nibbles, with its relaxed vibes and canalside location, Gotto is made for long summer evenings.
Canalside, Here East, 27 East Bay Lane, London, E15 2GW
www.gotto.co.uk