Cotto — Restaurant in London

We were visiting London and this restaurant was a 3 minute walk from our hotel so we decided to try it. It was around 8.20pm. We managed to get a table without reservation which was positive. This was for a table of 3. Initially the atmosphere was ok, the waiter and waitress were welcoming and accommodating. We were quickly given menus, the food and drink menu. Then a waiter without asking put down olives in the centre of the table. We didn’t eat these as we didn’t ask for them and assumed they were a complimentary thing the restaurant did. A tall older man I assume the owner possibly came to take our order I assumed drinks were ordered first so began to say Diet Coke, and he said I will be taking the food not drinks before the kitchen closes. So I said ok and we ordered the food. He did check if we had any allergies which we didn’t which was nice to be asked. He also checked the pasta dish I ordered was ok for me as will be a spicey dish. Around 15 minuties later another table of people arrived which made me wonder why our food was ordered quick before kitchen closes, as another group of people were allowed in. A waiter then came a few minutes later to take our drinks order. While we were waiting a waitress came around with a large basket of bread asking if we would like them. All three of us had one piece of bread. Again we felt this was a complimentary item as it is in other restaurants. While we waited for our food a family sat on the next table quiet close kept looking a lot they seemed to be ok good terms with the owner as they would often talk in their own language and then the older man made a gesture about us like a shooing away and the man on the other table laughed. I found this unpleasant and it felt if you were not local or Italian you were not as welcome. However they food did arrive my dad was surprised the Carbarnara pasta was spaghetti and not a thicker pasta however he said he really enjoyed this nevertheless. I also enjoyed my pasta the spicey tomato based pasta with very small pieces of chicken. My son ordered a margretia pizza as he could not eat it all as was large, they wrapped this in tinfoil for him to take home. Overall I did not like how close the tables were together especially when the next table were constantly looking while we were having conversations. I was glad to leave as it felt regulars were treated nicer by the owner Overall the meals wee nice. However was surprised to see on the bill we were charged £4.50 for olives and bread. We didn’t ask for or eat the olives so was shocked at this. Do please say no if you do not want these because you will be charged. Also service charge was £6.50. We are use to eating out so it is not because we don’t like to pay for food but do think this needs to be addressed properly by the waiter before putting down items and then to be charged later on. Total bill for three drinks, three main...

Reserved a table to celebrate a new job with my celiac partner. Cotto has 2 separate kitchens to ensure little chance of cross contamination as the owner is celiac themselves. We both came specifically for the pizza but were told (after attempting to order) the oven was not working and that we could have lasagne instead with a shrug. Olives we hadn't ordered were placed on our table for us along with a tray of fresh bread to select a few slices from the variety on offer, gluten free as well. A large table was sat after us with their order being taken after ours. We'd ordered a tomato salad for 2, gnocchi, carbonara and a bottle of Lambrusco and sparkling water. The large party was served first and we had to wait quite a while for our food to arrive. The atmosphere at Cottoa was of plastic chairs, formica wobley tables, harsh led spotlights in a windowless back room hosting 3 irritated babies wailing, it's family friendly but trying indeed.The salad for 2 was tasty (excellent cheese, only cherry tomatoes in a Caprese though??) but the portion was for 1. When the carbonara arrived the portion was quite reserved on the pasta side but swimming in pancetta. It was incredibly salty and inedible, left mostly unfinished without query from our hosts. The table next to ours ordered pasta with clams that came well balanced between clams and a sufficient amount of pasta. Our gnocchi portion was massive and satisfying however. The bill was over £70, the £8 of Lambrusco ringing in at £25. We also saw that we were charged for the olives and bread which we hadn't ordered totalling around an extra £5 or so, which along with the food, left a bad taste in our mouths. It might be worth mentioning that during lockdown my partner had ordered GF pasta from Cotto but was sent regular instead and got quite ill. Since then Cotto puts GF stickers on their food to ensure QC. The next day we went to Pomodoro Rosso, a plastic free with many GF options, restaraunt in Hoxton to have pizza. The atmosphere was of natural light from retractable windowed shutters, warm and and soft interior lighting. Exposed dark wood beams running along stucco celings and walls framed with excellent art cradled wooden chairs and marble top tables. We watched our food get made in an open kitchen, were given free lemonchello, 2 (large and delicious) pizzas, and bottle of Sauvignon Blanc for about £70 in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. £1 was added to our bill (discretionary) towards humanitarian aid for the Ukraine. I perhaps wouldn't have written this review had I not had consecutive GF dining experiences a day, and quite frankly...

First off, I'm a Yank so we think we do everything better than everyone else, even those who emigrate from their own country and bring their traditions with them. In this case, not only do we miss the mark, but 'Italian' cooking in the U.S. pales in comparison.

I've traveled the world with the U.S. military, a corporate flight department, and now a major U.S. airline...to include many locales including Italia proper. Naples, Milan, Rome, Bari, Palermo...I've had good food in all those places.

NONE of them hold a candle to Cotto!

Let me say without hesitation or reservation that Cotto Italian is THE BEST Italian I've had in the world, including Italy! How Cotto doesn't have 5 stars is beyond me. Leno and his family own and operate this restaurant and they pour their love into their food. The best ingredients, the most fabulous flavor combinations...it is a slice of Italia in the heart of London. I only wish I could convince Leno & family to come to the U.S. and bring their amazing Neopolitan style cooking with them!

I have NEVER had a bad meal at Cotto, and have sent dozens of crews, corporate pilots & flight attendants, and military brethren to visit Cotto when they are in London. EVERYONE I have sent has thanked me for the recommendation and stated it was an amazing experience. If Anthony Bourdain was still alive and could visit Cotto, my bet is he would be in awe of the authentic experience and delicious dishes served there.

In my opinion, no visit to London is complete without a visit to Cotto. If you have friends or family who suffer from Celiac disease, call ahead - they will prepare gluten-free dishes. I also highly recommend making a reservation through their website or calling ahead, as the restaurant fills up quickly now that we are post-COVID.

Life is short - eat well, drink well, and celebrate life! You can get a good start on all of those by visiting...