I can find working in the city a bit souless at times, especially when it comes to restaurants. There are a couple of great ones (for example City Social, Duck and Waffle and Goodmans) but they are definitely on the treat yo’self list, unless work is paying! I personally think there is a lack of interesting places to venture to for lunch. That’s why I’m happy I have L’Anima Cafe just within reach of my office. Being based at Bank it’s a good 15 minute walk, but oh so worth it.
L’Anima Cafe is the sister to the award winning L’Anima just around the corner. This is a more informal setting with all day dining and great for after-work drinks. There’s also a deli for food-to-go.
I’ve eaten here only twice but I hope I make many more visits. On my first visit I had a terrific lamb ragu, a rich, deep and salty ragu over parpadelle. I have thought about it many times since! This time we shared a couple of starters: an artichoke, asparagus and anchovy salad with pecorino shavings and a simple tomato, basil and garlic bruschetta. The salad was light and fresh with the moorish saltiness from the anchovy, a really wonderful dish. The tomatoes were seasoned perfectly on the bruschetta, however a couple of pieces came out a bit burnt as you can see, so we ended up eating the tomatoes but leaving the bread on those pieces.
There was a veal ragu on the menu this time which I did contemplate ordering but thought I should change it up a little. There were some great fish dishes but in the end I ordered the spaghetti alle vongole: clams with garlic, chilli, parsley and white wine. This is one of my favourite pasta dishes and it did not disappoint! The al dente spaghetti with the soft salty clams and a slight kick from the chilli was wonderful. The parsley in there keeping it nice and fresh. Oh, I wish I was eating a plate of it now!
Another pasta dish was also ordered, the fettuccine primavera. This entailed saffron, broad beans, peas asparagus and courgette flower. I had a taste of this too and it tasted garden-fresh, if that makes sense, really clean and light. A lovely dish.
My other colleague wanted to order something different to us; the daily special of sole was decided upon. It was humungous! It came served with slices of crisp potatoes and cherry tomatoes. Oh my god, the flavour in the fish was incredible and so juicy too. We struggled to finish it all. All in all a great meal.
Just two small points, the staff can be a little slow and also, last time we ordered the broccoli pizza and it was pretty bland. So I would avoid their pizzas. But everything I’ve ever ordered has been very good and rather beautiful too. It is very much full of suits mid-week but I imagine there is a different vibe in the evening and at weekends as it pretty much on the boarder between the city and Shoreditch (it’s right by the Queen of Hoxton). One day soon I hope to try L’Anima next door. But in the mean time this is the place to go for great Italian food!
Follow me on Bloglovin, Instagram and Twitter for more travel and food!