88-90 Commercial Street,
Spitalfields,
London,
E1 6LY
(020) 7247 4117
The ViewLondon Review
Since the posh pizza revolution hit, Strada has been steadily increasing its share of the market, overtaking Pizza Express in popularity, quality and taste.
The Venue
A few minutes walk from Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market, Strada snuggles a cosy spot close to trendy shops and East End boozers. It’s airy with Strada’s trademark large windows and dark wood furnishings, red walls and large round mirrors.
The Atmosphere
Strada attracts a civilized clientele of bankers and tourists, with the odd smattering of couples on dates. Loutish drinkers invariably end up in Brick Lane for a curry, while the more conservative types head over the road to Bishop Square, or nearby Pizza Express. Sundays are busiest, with weary market shoppers taking over. Staff are efficient, but steely cold – they’ll come to check if everything’s okay with your meal, but won’t engage in any other banter.
The Food
Large pizzas with crispy stone-baked bases rule the roost at Strada, with a good selection of pasta, chicken and fish. Mama’s home-made lasagne is off the menu, in favour of jazzier and more adventurous sea bass, lamb and a selection of steaks - all in creamy rich sauces. What it may lack in rustic Italian authenticity, it makes up for with well-balanced flavours, rather then sauce-slavered mush.
The meat-packed Speck and Rustica pizzas (£8.95) suffer slightly from one too many toppings, but others like the Fiorentina (£8.95) get the balance just right. If there’s still room for dessert, and considering the sizes of the pizzas, that is probably unlikely, you could do a lot worse than the tiramisu (£4.95), with its not-too-soggy base and not-too-strong hit of coffee.
The Drink
The wine list is better than you average pizzeria, with a good selection of Italian wines, from about £13.25 a bottle. There is often a sparkling rose on the specials menu which is deliciously dry and very drinkable. Free filtered water is also available.
The Last Word
A part of a growing chain, Strada Commercial Street ticks all the right boxes – its decor is clean and neutral, its staff efficient and its food high quality. It’s got all the makings of a great restaurant, expect for one vital ingredient: soul.
Strada Spitalfields has been reviewed by 3 users