This is a real little gem and definitely worth the trip all the way out to Walthamstow. I would…read morenever have thought such a great restaurant would be here, at the end of the Victoria line in E17 and on such a pretty and happening street in lovely Walthamstow village, (and yes, the village is very lovely and very surprising!) - but it is and this restaurant really deserves 5 stars. We sat outside (due to the late October summer!) which added to the relaxed vibe, but the food and service took the limelight. Simple and extremely tasty Italian food, perfectly cooked and wonderfully fresh. I had parsnip and parmesan soup to start, with crunchy parsnip crisps on the top - it was divine - so tasty and flavoursome I wanted to eat it over and over again! Thick enough to be filling and hearty, but thin enough to still be a starter. I then had tagliattelli with dolcelatte and courgettes, which sounds heavy but was super light and perfectly cooked. To break up the creaminess of this dish I had a mixed salad full with everything from radishes, to pine nuts, peppers and rocket - yum! Brilliant service and a brilliant find, on a brilliant street. I wonder what house prices are like around here.

A gem in Walthamstow's Orford Road. I wouldn't hesitate to take friends and family here - which I…read morehave already, twice. They do a terrific £10 pasta and salad deal on most days (except for Friday and Saturday evening) and the carbonara was 'one of the best I've ever had', according to my brother in law. I opted for the gamberoni: prawns with garlic, chilli, and sundried tomatoes, which was absolutely delicious and arrived piping hot. But the best surprise of all is in the dessert: La Ruga creates its own house speciality, "toffee bread", which isn't like bread at all. Instead, picture toffee soaked cake crumbs served in a warm bowl and topped with a generous dollop of vanilla ice cream. Remarkable. We also shared the tart and tiramisu, which were equally delicious, but nothing topped that toffee bread. Might be my favorite dessert IN THE WORLD. And I know that's quite a claim, but I stand by it, darn it! Such a special place. Staff are super friendly and accommodating, particularly for families with small children/babies.

My favourite restaurant in this neighbourhood. Tried all of the pizzas and pasta and they are so…read moredelicious!!! Good food, good value and good everything. Only one little thing: the chilli on the pizza with chillis is very spicy, the rest of pizzas are absolutely gorgeous however including the spicy one, just be careful if you don't like spicy food.

My favourite Italian food in east london. The pizzas are beautiful and the pasta is great. I would…read morehighly recommend. The host is very friendly as are the rest of the staff and the service is excellent. Definitely recommend trying out some of the pizzas and the pasta as they are both excellent.

Gotto Trattoria is a very new Italian restaurant opened by the same people who run Mele e Pere in…read moreSoho. It's in a beautiful location of Here East, in the new development along the Canal side near Hackney Wick where several other new restaurants have opened up too. The restaurant seems like a perfect place to dine in the Summer with it's al fresco dining, open front and the beautiful view of the Canalside. Inside was very warm and cosy with its low ceiling of exposed pipes and open kitchen allowing you to see the food being prepared Broad beans Complimentary fried broad beans to start us off. Simple seasoning but very moreish being crunchy and light. Sea bream carpaccio, fennel and chilli Quite a disappointing start. I couldn't taste any of the promised flavours here. It was quite lacklustre. I'm guessing the fennel came as a purée, smudged a long the bottom of the plate that barely attached to the sea bream. The chilli were too mild and didn't work well without a base to contain it in to allow it to release its flavours. Capers were too sharp for the delicate flavours of the carpaccio. At least the carpaccio was fresh so I did appreciate it's beautiful textures and silkiness. Burrata from Locorotondo This was delicious.The burrata was incredibly creamy, gentle in its milky flavours and light and elastic in texture. It was almost sweet in taste too. Simple seasoning of olive oil and black pepper just to add some flavour Pork and smoked pancetta bombette, cacio cheese sauce A must order! A lovely succulent piece of pork topped with a rich cacio cheese slice before rolled around pancetta and then grilled. The flavours were incredibly, rich in flavour with umami from the melted cheese. The texture was very satisfying, bouncy with each bite releasing its beautiful juices. A dip of of cacio cheese sauce just to give it an extra boost of cheesiness and creaminess Agnolotti with nettles, cimbro cheese, sage and rosemary I was almost shocked at how this dish came out. With Italy being the home to pasta I did not expect the pasta to be so hard and brittle. It was almost like they made these parcels and just left them out to dry so all the moisture evaporated from the dough. So instead of being soft and al dente, they were rough on the tongue. The filling was nice and creamy, with gentle earthy flavours from the nettle. However the buttery cheese sauce which was there to aid it with moisture was way too salty, overpowering all the flavours and herbs. Better to have without and eat it dry Rump of lamb, globe artichokes and seirass piemontese Nothing was wrong with this dish. The lamb was tender and sweet, served pink and juicy. Artichoke was creamy and buttery, carrots sweet and the seirass piemontese is referring to gentle milky grainy cow's milk cheese that resembled much like ricotta. However the dish lacked creativity. If I wanted a good lamb steak I would go to a steakhouse and not a speciality Italian restaurant. It lacked complexity and depth. Presentation didn't exactly made me mouth water, vegetables turned brown making it all seem quite dull Chips These were nicely done and came generously but a little creativity wouldn't hurt even if they just seasoned it with some salt and Italian herbs . Still I managed to demolish them with a bit of ketchup and mayo on the side as they were still pretty good quality. Tart of the day with custard pine nut pie This was okay and I very much enjoyed the thick consistency of the custard that was not overly sweet. However these qualities could not be enjoyed to its fullest due to the dry flakey crust that wrapped the whole tart creating a far greater ratio than the filling. It masked a lot of the custard flavour and made it dry. Pine nuts however were a nice addition added a subtle nuttiness and crunch to the dish Goat milk ice cream, blackberries, 25 years old balsamic vinegar This was probably the highlight of the whole meal. It was wonderfully creamy and smooth, rich in its milkiness without that sickly aftertaste. It was much thicker in consistency compared to ice cream, almost like gelato. Paired with lovely zesty blackberries and a light drizzle of balsamic vinegar just to balance out the sweetness and creaminess. The perfect ending to our meal I expected a lot more from Gotto but at the very most it was just an average Italian restaurant. Their only advantage is that they source high quality ingredients so even if nothing much is done to them (which is what it is like here), it is still very nice. Their starters definitely outdid their mains. Still some dishes were poorly executed and some over seasoned. The rest were not all that memorable leaving me not many reasons to return other than for their goat's milk ice cream.

Absolutely fabulous place to enjoy a meal. I spent three hours here today enjoying a delicious…read moremeal in a very friendly atmosphere. We order several appetizers - burrata cheese, shrimp, and meatballs. All were spot on. I had the paccheri all'amatriciana for my main - it was perfect! Finally, I finished with a vanilla ice cream and fresh strawberries. So good!!

Amazing place, I'm in love whit it, it's so cozy, food is amazing and reasonable for price, good…read morechoice for wines, friendly service, I'm in love with their blackcurrant cheesecake, definitely will go back again, and I suggest it to everyone who loves Italian food :)

Take advantage of the "happy hour". Every Sunday between 1-4pm you will find me in this restaurant…read moreeating Pizza de la Casa and drinking beer for only £6. On occasions, I order desert, my favourite is Blubbery Panacota but my girlfriend likes pancakes with ice scream. The service is top class and I can't recommend this place enough. Give it a try!

Best Italian for miles. We only found it a week ago and have already eaten there twice. I think…read morethey make their own bread and pasta and their tagliolini cacao e pepe is to die for! The chef is Sardinian so you can also order delicious Sard pasta and wine. We have two young children so were glad to find two high chairs available and the two ladies who served us were delightful with our little ones. Can't wait until our next meal there!

From the owner: Off the beaten track, on the south side of Leytonstone High Road, not far from Stratford & the…read moreOlympic Park, in a location easily reachable from Leyton, Forest Gate and Wansted, you can find Mora, a cosy, relaxed and welcoming restaurant serving hearty Italian food. We specialise in fresh pasta, handmade in small quantities in our kitchen: we make tagliatelle, pappardelle & tagliolini every day, ravioli, gnocchi & tortelloni as part of our weekly specials. Using seasonal and carefully selected ingredients sourced from small, artisan producers our chef Carlo created a menu offering mouth-watering traditional Italian dishes like tagliolini cacio e pepe, melanzane alla parmigiana and tiramisu, typical Sardinian specialities like fregola with prawns & bottarga and seadas, as well as some original creations like our delicious pannacotta with mirto liqueur. When in season, a truffle special menu is also available, featuring beef carpaccio, risotto, tagliolini and ribeye, all seasoned with generous shavings of truffle. Get your taste buds ready for your foodie experience at Mora with an aperitif - spritz and negroni are on the menu! Choose one from our natural, organic, biodynamic wines from Italy or local craft beers to match with your food, and Buon Appetito! You can end your meal in style with a glass of dessert wine, classic Italian liqueur like mirto, limoncello or amaro, or artisan spirit crafted in East London. Welcome to our independent restaurant in Leytonstone -E11!

Just updating my review of a couple of years ago. My friend wanted to come back for her birthday…read more There were 10 of us again. The service was a big haphazard this time unfortunately. We were not all served at the same time. I decided to go for the Chef's special. They forgot my starter of garlic bread but when it came after everyone had finished theirs it was like a small pizza, and was hot and very, very yummy! However, during the mains, they forgot our sides, so by the time it arrived after prompting, our mains, sea bass and steak, got a little cold. The sauteed potatoes were a little under cooked too, but by that time, we really wanted to eat and so did not bother to make another complaint. Still a good place and prices still very good value. Will return!

Let's be pretty honest. I am Italian, used to a good pizza every Saturday dinner since my…read morechildhood. When I moved to Tottenham two years ago I was amazed to find a place which makes such good pizza menu and taste. If you go, please try Siciliana. An amazing Vegetarian pizza which reminds me of South Italy, summer and sun - oh yes and a lot of garlic!

I am quite confused on how this restaurant is receiving such good reviews and so many stars for…read moreapparently having such "freshly made pasta" when really this is not the case. I had the unfortunate luck to work for Simone Remoli for a sort period of time, he loves to take employees from other jobs to try them out and then fire them after he finds someone better (basically playing with peoples lives). Just to enlighten everyone his pasta is NOT freshly made everyday and neither is the sea food that some people order with their pasta dishes, the proper name for it is like my favourite chef Gordan Ramsey likes to say it's all FRESH FROZEN. Simone Remoli could have been an inspiration to the italian food but unfortunately he is a gluttonous and egotistic person that will serve you food that has been sitting in his fridges for 5 days and freezes for months, with prices that are sky high. If any food inspectors see this review please be my guest and go forth to inspect his food. Make sure you go unexpectedly that is the best time.

A small pasta place within Westfield Shopping Centre in the Eastern Market section. There are only…read morea couple of tables and they are in the walkway of the mall pretty much. However, they do their pasta to cook at home or to take away as well as to eat in. It was a nice evening so we decided to take it out and sat in the Olympic Park. The pasta was really good and they crammed a lot into the take away tubs. You choose the pasta, the sauce, the cheese and any sides and drinks you want. I had the bolognaise and whilst it was tasty, it could have done with a few more herbs and a bit more meatiness. For the price I would go there again though.

Where to start, several types of Italian food hidden through a small door opposite the tube…read morestation. Very reasonably prices with all the usual suspects there, freshly cooked with a variety of homemade items.

Really pleasantly surprised by this place! We were meeting friends nearby but had a bit of time…read morebeforehand and we were feeling a bit hungry. There isn't much around the station but this place is literally across the street. Usually, that would mean it probably couldn't be that great, I was totally wrong! We walked in and there's a long hallway that leads to the open kitchen and restaurant. There is a definite warmth and coziness about the place, it feels like a neighborhood spot! The host was welcoming and was able to squeeze us in without a reservation. Menus were produced and drink orders taken quickly. All the Italian staples were there and it was great that some of their pastas were even homemade! While the pasta was tempting (always in the mood for pasta), one look at their pizza oven pretty much solidified our decision to get one of their pizza offerings. To balance the pizza, we ordered a Caprese salad (£5.50). The salad was light and fresh and a great start to our meal. Since we knew we would be having more food with our friends, we only ordered one pizza. The Capricciosa consisted of tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, mushrooms, artichokes & olives (£10.95) and came to our table piping hot. They had even cut the pizza in half and placed it on two plates since they knew we were sharing. That's service we rarely see in London! The crust was thin, crispy and slightly sweet - really good. The toppings were all fresh and the cheese was perfectly melted. Everything was reasonably priced, fresh and tasty and the service was friendly and on point. From start to finish this was a great meal. Sadly, we don't live anywhere near here or this would definitely become our regular go to for Italian.

Bombetta is a cozy and comfortable way to experience the best kind of Italian cuisine - from the…read morePuglia region. The entire interior of Bombetta is cozily lit and filled with furniture and decor that fit the classy vibe. Between the leather seating, neon signs, and elegant glassware, this restaurant takes the cake for beautiful interior design. Once you enter, you feel as if you are in a timeless restaurant that has withstood the test of time. The staff at Bombetta are as friendly as the atmosphere, they were quick to pull out menus and offer me recommendations from their long list of desirable choices. To start off, I had to try the grilled watermelon. Grilling an already sweet fruit only intensifies its delicious flavors. It was a great way to start my samples from Bombetta. Next, I moved on to the wild boar speck. This flavorful meat was cured to tender perfection and marinated with a delightful sauce. The spices came alive as I ate each piece of succulent meat. Another wild, flavorful treat was the pig's head bruschetta. It tasted vastly different than the wild boar speck, yet had the same wonderful tenderness as the previous meat. Next, I moved on to try one the famous Bombette - pork with spicy pancetta, scamorza, nduja, and basil - it was an explosion of flavours and spices. Needless to say, this dish was my favourite with an added spicy bite to it that packed a punch. To end the night, I went with the strawberry and mascarpone semifreddo, balsamic for dessert. This treat was sweet, cold, and creamy. It was everything I could want in a dessert! It was a perfect way to end my meal at Bombetta. Bombetta is a classy restaurant with great, perfectly crafted dishes. Anyone who eats at Bombetta will be treating themselves to a night full of delicious foods and good company.

I wanted to love Bombetta - I really did. After all, I picked it as my restaurant of choice to…read morecelebrate our four-year anniversary, having read tremendous reviews in print and online from well-established food critics. First of all, the atmosphere is fun, warm, and inviting. It's the ideal place to spend a Thursday, Friday or Saturday with friends, either perched at the bar or at the tables. Staff are welcoming and very hospitable, and the open kitchen makes the environment all the more vibrant and exciting. For me, the food fell short of spectacular - and I really had expected it to be great. We ordered some sides (Tuna, pearl barley, tomato, celery & lemon), a bombette (of pork, prosciutto San Daniele, scamorza & oregano), and items from the charcoal grill (Lamb Scottadito and fennel sausage) to share but in general, the meats were very, very, very salty. Yes, to the point that it was slightly unpleasant, though I know that meats like prosciutto are naturally salty as they are cured. The tuna, pearl barley salad was fresh but underwhelming and by the end, we were left with a pool of olive oil on the plate. The tiramisu I ordered for dessert was tasty, but so encased with cream, I couldn't quite get down to the layer of cake that was hidden underneath. We still had a very enjoyable evening, but on reflection, it's not a restaurant I'd return to in a heartbeat. Perhaps we just ordered the wrong items, but I woke up feeling like my mouth was the Sahara desert in the middle of the night! SO. Much. Salt.