NOTTO Piccadilly

Italian·
££££
·

SquareMeal Review of NOTTO Piccadilly

Fresh pasta fever has gripped London in the last decade and it shows no sign of letting go, as we all slump into the carby embrace of long fettuccine ribbons and pillowy gnocchi.

The latest big name to jump into the fray is NOTTO, lead by Phil Howard - a chef’s chef if ever there was one. When a chef of his talent turns his hand to something, we sit up and listen.

So, NOTTO should be hot-o by all accounts. We like what they’ve done with the dining room, which could ordinarily have been a rather awkward, slender space. It's modern and minimal, all clean lines, pale, organic tones and blonde timber. The front is where all the buzz is, while things are a little more serene further back, where there’s a cute little banquette surrounded by pampas grass.

Pleasant as the restaurant is, a pasta restaurant lives and dies on the quality of the food. The start is promising - a very good duck liver pate with juicy, boozy figs, followed by a giant arancini with pleasing crust and intense wild mushroom filling. The vitello tonnato is a slimmed-down take on a classic, with veal sliced ultra-thin and a mild tuna cream that makes this a good entry point for tonnato newbies.

With the signature black truffle strozzapreti missing from the menu on our visit, we pivoted towards a lovely rigatoni cacio e pepe with rich, clingy sauce. We’d have taken an extra hit of black pepper, given the choice, but we happily cleaned the plate regardless. A pile of osso buco ravioli with saffron butter and chive oil sounded delicious, but it was a tad under seasoned and lacked the richness of classic osso buco.

There’s something delicious and unique at the heart of NOTTO but our visit was let down by small things, like the above, or like a few shards of crab shell in an otherwise good white crab spaghettini. The bar staff already have a dangerously drinkable set of cocktails down pat, so NOTTO doesn’t feel far off competing with the capital’s top pasta players following a few small tweaks.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £30 - £49
Cuisines
Italian
Ambience
Cool, Lively
Food Occasions
All day dining, Dinner, Lunch
Special Features
Counter dining, Vegetarian options
Perfect for
Child friendly
Food Hygiene Rating

About

You may have heard of NOTTO before. Delicious, fresh pasta recipe boxes delivered straight to your doorstep... not ringing a bell? Well, NOTTO started as a pasta delivery company during the various Covid-19 lockdowns and it has gone from strength to strength. Originally, the pasta story began in the world of fine dining but chef Phil Howard ventured into mail-order pasta and recipe boxes; filled with exceptional ingredients and recipes, Howard gave customers the chance to make delicious meals from their home. 

Now, Phil Howard has gone one step further and has taken over a space in Piccadilly to bring NOTTO to London's Italian dining scene. He is joined in this endeavour by executive chef Louis Korovalis who is no stranger to the London pasta world himself, originally opening Bancone and mostly recently launching Noci in Islington. Between them, they have a Michelin star, years of experience and heaps of passion for good, fresh pasta dishes. 

Meaning eight in Italian, the delivery menu of NOTTO only showcases eight pasta dishes at a time with a monthly changing menu to keep its offering exciting and innovative. On the eat-in menu expect the likes of their freshly-baked rosemary, tomato and garlic salted focaccia or wild mushroom arrancini to kick things off. For the main event, you'll find fresh pappardelle paired with a traditional slow-cooked shin of beef, oxtail and red wine ragu as well as an intriguing squid ink spaghetti with a sauce of sardines, garlic, sweet peppers and tomato – all at notably accessible prices.

As a passionate plant-based chef, we're sure Phil Howard will be adding some imaginative vegan dishes to the menu as well as the option for fresh gluten-free pasta. We're just hoping that the epic espresso brownie from their delivery menu will also make an appearance in the dessert section!


FAQs

What is the closest tube station to the restaurant?

The nearest station is Green Park

Helpful? 0

Who is behind the restaurant?

Chef Phil Howard is behind the concept and once held two Michelin stars at The Square in St James's

Helpful? 0

Location

198 Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, London, W1J 9EZ

020 3034 2190 020 3034 2190

Website

Opening Times

Lunch
Mon 12:00-15:00
Tue 12:00-15:00
Wed 12:00-15:00
Thu 12:00-15:00
Fri 12:00-15:00
Sat 12:00-15:00
Sun Closed
Dinner
Mon 17:00-22:00
Tue 17:00-22:00
Wed 17:00-22:00
Thu 17:00-22:00
Fri 17:00-22:00
Sat 17:00-22:00
Sun 12:00-20:00

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020 3034 2190 020 3034 2190

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