Tutto — Restaurant in Great Britain

Date: 21/12/24 Cost: £125

Mich and I found ourselves in unfamiliar territory the last Saturday before Christmas, wandering round Kemptown after the last bang, boom, fizz and whoosh of the Burning of the Clocks fireworks, but our conversational ground was well-trodden: where on earth should we get some food? The restaurants of St James’s St looked too full, too fancy or too festively raucous - special shout-out to the sexy Mrs Santa we saw propping up one of the bars, and again in the same outfit in town Christmas shopping the following morning - and so as we walked back down towards the Old Steine thoughts had turned to bus timetables and listing takeaway options. Nothing really resonated, and it seemed a shame to go home. “I could eat a nice big plate of pasta,” Mich said, and there, suddenly, was our answer, lit up like the Star of Bethlehem shining over Victoria Gardens. “Tutto?!”

There were only seats available at the counter, which turned out to be a blessing: a less formal feel, with views into the kitchen behind the bar where mouth-watering ingredients were being prepared, and direct access to the friendly bartenders, who gave us tasters from the regional wine list, fielded our happy questions about the exciting-looking menu with patience and mixed cocktails with panache, auguring well for the food itself. Or so we thought.

I went for the wood-fired gamberi rossi to start, which looked awesome: plump and charred and served under an artful drizzle of chilli and garlic butter which, with the lack of a finger bowl, subsequent napkin-rationing and my own impatience, made them unreasonably difficult to descale and peel. Ignoring the occasional unwanted crunch they squelched juicily, but somehow didn’t taste of very much. However, they were fireworks on the beach fizzing with flavour in comparison to Mich’s calamari rings: eating those was like biting into crispy squid-textured air. A really strange experience actually.

My truffle carbonara was also beautifully presented, shavings of parmesan dusting a generous mound of pasta topped with an egg yolk like the resurgent winter sun after snowfall has cleared the sky. I fell for it again. This time it was kind of that the whole dish tasted of too much rather than not enough. Now, I’m not truffle’s number one fan - it’s everywhere these days, including in places it shouldn’t be (mac n cheese is already perfect, thank you) - but I went with the carbonara anyway because I wanted a carbonara. It's not the truffle that put me off. Truffle is sort of earthy, whereas this was just really overly salty to my taste. And I freaking love salt.

Mich’s venison ragu was a similar story: we knew it would be rich - it should be rich - but this was too much. Juniper and pecorino are not exactly subtle ingredients, neither guanciale or the truffle used in mine, but I can’t imagine anyone coming away from either of our mains thinking they were among the best they’d ever tasted. Perhaps we should have been more careful with our ordering, but it felt like more than just a taste/personal preference thing: Mich’s pasta felt like it had been sitting out on the side for ages, rather than being a deliberate al dente. It should have all been so good! Maybe the presentation and the staff and our good mood are helping me to gaslight myself into thinking my own taste in food is somehow wrong - was it really as bad as I remember?! - but Mich felt the same, and the experience we had was the experience we had.

One of the reasons it’s taken me so long to get this review up is because I’ve really been deliberating over how to rate it. Dining out is of course about more than just the food, but that’s still the main point of it. Would we have enjoyed ourselves so much sitting at a table? Does that matter? The style of those initial impressions we got were not matched by the substance of our actual meals - it’s almost like there was too much of a focus on the everything else -.but then again, we did finish everything. And we did have such a fun time overall. I don’t know, you go. See...

Tuttons, situated in the vibrant Covent Garden area of London, is a well-established restaurant that has been serving patrons for several decades. Its prime location in one of London's most bustling districts makes it a popular choice for both tourists and locals seeking a dining experience amidst the city's lively atmosphere.

Ambience and Décor

The restaurant boasts an interior reminiscent of a Parisian brasserie, featuring stylish décor that exudes a blend of classic and contemporary elements. The recent refurbishment has enhanced its appeal, offering a comfortable and aesthetically pleasing environment for diners. For those who enjoy alfresco dining, Tuttons provides outdoor seating, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the energetic ambiance of Covent Garden.

Menu and Cuisine

Tuttons offers a diverse menu that caters to a wide range of palates. The pre-theatre menu, priced at £13.95 for two courses, is particularly popular among patrons attending nearby shows. The à la carte menu features a variety of dishes, including salmon fillet with couscous, cherry tomato, leaf salad, and pomegranate dressing. However, some reviews suggest that certain dishes, such as the salmon, may be slightly overcooked and could benefit from enhanced seasoning.

Service

The service at Tuttons is generally efficient, with waitstaff described as pleasant and attentive. Diners have noted that the staff contributes positively to the overall dining experience, ensuring that meals are served promptly and that guests feel well-cared-for during their visit.

Pricing

Considering its central location, Tuttons offers reasonably priced menus, especially the pre-theatre options, which provide value for money. However, some patrons feel that certain dishes on the à la carte menu may not justify their price point, particularly when the quality does not meet expectations.

Overall Experience

Tuttons remains a notable establishment in Covent Garden, attracting a diverse clientele due to its prime location and inviting atmosphere. While the restaurant offers a pleasant dining experience with efficient service and stylish décor, there is room for improvement in the consistency and seasoning of certain dishes. For those seeking a convenient dining option in the heart of London, Tuttons provides a satisfactory experience, though it may not stand out in terms of...

My partner booked us a lunch slot at Tutto for my birthday a couple months ago but have decided to write a review now,

Absolutely gorgeous interior, lots of people dining in the front room with the bar, staff let us sit in the back room which was empty at this time - lots of other places like to sit you right next to another table which I really don't like, so this was lovely. Even though we were the only ones dining in this part of the restaurant, there was no difference in the service, they didn't forget about us at all.

Super friendly, attentive staff. Manager was lovely, interacted with us in a genuine, personable way throughout. Made us feel valued. Staff seemed genuinely interested in making sure we was enjoying our food. Made my birthday feel super special.

There was music playing which was perfect volume, not too loud but loud enough to actually hear it and enjoy it. Great playlist as well, put me in a great mood, it was as if I'd picked the songs myself.

Food was amazing. Portion sizes not bad at all in my opinion. Chicken Milanese could've come with something small on the side even just a bit of garnish but was still a big piece of chicken and tasted great, I didn't leave hungry. I believe it was all small plates we ordered so technically it makes sense. For example the potatoes, there was so many and they were huge. Definitely better portions than a lot of places anyway. Also got free olives and almonds of some sort I believe? Things like that are normal in Italy but over here you can expect to pay £3+ for a few olives, so it was really nice to have. If I recall correctly we also got a free drink each due to some sort of offer. All in all surprisingly good value.

Menus, furnishings, crockery, all gorgeous. Such a warm and comfortable feeling inside.

100% will return. Best dining experience in Brighton by a long shot, a breath of fresh air compared to other places. So unpretentious, so genuine, staff are great at what they do. I honestly could've stayed all day, I was so relaxed which is very rare for me.

My only tiny gripe was that from where we were sat, you are looking out at the door to the men's toilets. But that's just me being super picky since i've said so much nice stuff. It's a nice...