Gatti's (Restaurant)

Top 10 things you need to know about Gatti’s:

1) The exterior welcome is a bit cold: positioned amongst The City business buildings near Liverpool Street, Gatti’s looks like a shop front. Yet, you’ll be surprised to discover there’s actually a restaurant in there;

2) The interior welcome is anything but cold: the manager, kind and hospitable, introduces you to the more enticing downstairs area. The place can seem empty, but don’t worry (especially if you like peace and quiet). It’s mainly a lunch retreat, perfect for leaving parties, celebrating commercial wins and enjoying deserved middle-of-the-day breaks;

3) The décor resembles that of a ‘70s bistro: brown, dark red and gold colours, and a bar at the back displaying a wall of liquors; sparkling shades;

4) The wine is very important: a globe shrine hides some of the most charming (and not cheap) wines. The wines are served with (likewise costly) cheese and usually offered only to the most assured palates (you know who you are!);

5) The food is Italian, cooked by a chef from Naples, and served in noticeable portion sizes. The conspicuous entrees of polenta medallions and fried calamari are alluring; the lobster linguine and wild boar mains will accomplish the purpose of filling you up;

6) Chef thinks out of the box. You can sample a zabaglione-like crème dessert with truffle sprinkled on top. The heavy, familiar taste of eggs wrapped in the earthy, sweet/bitter flavour of the truffle is somewhat unfriendly. However, if you indulge in the vino, this is the combination you need to keep going;

7) The ambience is comfy. It’s easy to understand why you’d want to treat a colleague to lunch and have a good gossip, in peace;

8) Limoncello and grappa are obviously the completion of your meal: very traditional, not pretentious and “allegro”;

9) The feeling of relaxation makes this restaurant a retreat from the ever-so complex business world above; cosy and easy, it still has the right gems (wine and liquor) to make it a worthy option for play after work;

10) Saying goodbye produces the reality of tomorrow morning when, carrying a sleepy cup of coffee, you’ll sit at a computer screen on which 100 emails are waiting; a good lunch break is all you’ll be hoping for!...read more