Whitechapel, Italian Restaurant Guide

The original – “a very friendly and very cosy little place with approximately 16 covers in St Katharine Docks” – is the most commented on of this small chain: “brilliant in its simplicity and delivery” of a straightforward pasta menu. Also with spin-offs near Aldgate and, more latterly, Canary Wharf.

“So tiny you could miss it” – this “authentic Italian” is a “very cosy and friendly” spot of a type rare for somewhere near the City (it’s in the warren of streets around Spitalfields). “Impeccable” dishes are served with “minimal fuss” – “joyous!”

By Spitalfieds, this modern Italian makes a feature of fairly straightforward dishes – pasta is a speciality as are grills from the Josper oven. Feedback this year was up-and-down, with some resistance to their current pricing.