Islington, Italian Restaurant Guide

A “very good local Italian” serving “cheering, and honest food” – this modest-looking Puglian close to Islington’s Almeida Theatre is named after the red earth of the Salento peninsula, the ‘heel’ of southern Italy. It’s “much more than a pizza place”, and prepares its own “home-made pasta” along with “dishes you won’t find in a standard UK Italian”.

This modern Italian from D&D London and chef Francesco Mazzei – on the Islington site that once housed Almeida (RIP) – wins OK feedback, but inspires nothing approaching the excitement that might be expected from such a team of backers. Local fans hail its “generous” Calabrian cuisine and “good quality pizza” – sceptics feel its “saving grace is the location opposite the Almeida Theatre…”

2019 Review: “Tucked away off Upper Street”, this genuine “small” deli/restaurant “has ‘Italy’ sprayed all over it” – “a busy and popular” spot, featuring “lots of regional ingredients”, and with “great fresh pasta” and “consistently fantastic pizza you can take away, too”.

A new (March 2022) Italian from Louis Korovilas, formerly of Locatelli and Bancone, which serves a short, seasonal menu of pastas and a modern take on Italian street food snacks.