manteca — Restaurant in London

I’ve been hearing good things about Manteca for quite a while now so it was about time we decided to pay a visit ourselves. Well I can honestly say that all the great things I’d heard were true. This was a fabulous dining experience where we enjoyed amazing Italian food , fabulous wine and the friendliest of service. I really can’t wait to return.

So now let’s move to the day itself. The restaurant is on curtain road and just a short five minute walk from Liverpool Street station. The place used to be prezzo until it was taken over to become Manteca. We arrived a little early which didn’t turn out to be a problem and we were escorted to our table in our choice of the dining room right in front of the open kitchen. You can also book to sit at the counter or downstairs.

Once seated we looked around and quite a lot of the tables are close together and when we went downstairs there are obviously no windows and was very busy so I don’t think I would like to sit there unless there was a group of you perhaps. So my recommendation would be to book the dining room.

We then got to meet our waitress for the day Candela who I really can’t praise enough as she did an excellent job in looking after us. This started by her coming to say hello and asking if we’d been before. We said this was our first time so she firstly said welcome before bringing us the menu and explaining how it all works as well as giving us her recommendations. The menu is italian small plates designed for sharing of snacks , starters , pasta , mains , sides and a separate dessert menu. This gives you the opportunity to choose as many dishes as you like and where you can make your experience as short or as long as you wish.

We decided to start with some Wildfarmed Focaccia with rosemary which was brought to our table along with a fabulous orange wine. The Brisat 2021 from the Entre Vinyes in Spain was a skin contact , natural wine that was light and fruity and complimented every dish perfectly.

We now moved on to the starters. Here we ordered the Bitter Leaf Salad with pear , gorgonzola dolce and pecorino romano , Cornish Squid with green pepper salsa , Venison Buttata with an egg yolk dressing , cicoria and pangretatto along with the Nduja Steamed Mussels. Everything was cooked to perfection and the flavours in each dish were amazing.

Next to arrive were two absolutely delicious Pasta dishes. One was the Strozzapreti a brown crab cacio e pepe. The other was the Campanelle a beef ragu , lettuce and remoulade.

Now it was time for the Main course and wow. The slow cooked Pork Blade with roasted blush onions and three cornered leek was simply stunning. We accompanied this with the Escarole , shallots and chilli (sorry no pic) that really enhanced the flavours of the pork.

Dessert Time and we wasn’t to be disappointed here either. The Pistachio and Fennel Cake with pistachio ice cream was a dream and the Chocolate Cake with whey caramel was absolute heaven. Then to top it all of I had an Espresso con Zabaglione that left me in paradise.

This brought to an end an absolutely fantastic dining experience and one I’ll be looking forward to repeating again soon. The food is amazing , the wine was heaven and the service from our waitress Candela and the team was excellent. I really can’t recommend a visit to Manteca highly enough. I would advise to book the dining room as it gives you views of the kitchen , the bar and the bread / pasta making and...

Manteca, located on Curtain Road in London's Shoreditch district, has firmly established itself as a standout in the city's vibrant culinary scene. Co-founded by David Carter and chef Chris Leach, both with impressive backgrounds in establishments like Smokestak and Kitty Fisher’s, Manteca brings a distinctive blend of Italian-inspired, nose-to-tail dining to the forefront.

Ambiance and Setting

The restaurant exudes a contemporary yet welcoming atmosphere, characterized by its sandy-colored interiors, open kitchen, and the enticing clatter of a bustling dining room. A notable feature is the glass-walled curing room in the basement, showcasing the in-house preparation of cured meats, which adds both visual appeal and a testament to their commitment to craftsmanship.

Culinary Offerings

Manteca's menu is a testament to its dedication to whole-animal butchery and authentic Italian flavors. The house-made charcuterie, including delicacies like mortadella and smoky speck, is a highlight, often accompanied by their freshly baked focaccia. Small plates such as the puntarelle salad, dressed in a vibrant anchovy and fresh chili vinaigrette, showcase their ability to elevate simple ingredients.

Pasta dishes are central to Manteca's appeal. The fazzoletti with rich duck ragu and duck fat breadcrumbs offers a harmonious blend of textures and deep flavors, while the spicy lumache shells provide a delightful kick, demonstrating the kitchen's prowess in balancing tradition with innovation.

For those inclined towards larger plates, options like the wood-roasted plaice and pork chops are prepared with precision, reflecting the restaurant's commitment to nose-to-tail dining. The menu's design encourages sharing, making it ideal for communal dining experiences.

Service and Hospitality

The service at Manteca is frequently praised for its attentiveness and knowledge. Staff members are well-versed in the menu, offering insightful recommendations and ensuring a seamless dining experience. Their approach strikes a balance between professionalism and warmth, contributing significantly to the restaurant's inviting ambiance.

Value and Recognition

Manteca has garnered significant acclaim, including a Bib Gourmand from the Michelin Guide, highlighting its ability to deliver high-quality dining at reasonable prices. Dishes are thoughtfully priced, with small plates around £10 and pasta dishes closer to £15, making it accessible without compromising on excellence.

Conclusion

Manteca stands out as a culinary destination that seamlessly blends Italian traditions with contemporary dining sensibilities. Its commitment to nose-to-tail cooking, combined with a vibrant atmosphere and commendable service, makes it a must-visit for both locals and visitors seeking a memorable dining...

I had an amazing lunch experience at manteca today. This is a restaurant my husband and I always wanted to try, but always been too late to book a table, so we decided to book it 2 months in advance this time. We were quite excited for our lunch and I believe manteca were up to our expectations.

The menu is divided into some unnamed parts, but they kind of follow a rule (starters, pasta, bigger plates, sides). We decided to get one from each section to share among ourselves. We got the focaccia, the mussels, the wild garlic pasta and the lemon sole. The waiter told me that this menu changes quite regularly, so don’t expect to find the same dishes every time.

The focaccia was one of the best I’ve ever had. It was soft inside and it was filled with good quality olive oil. Outside, it was crispy. Just perfect.

The mussels was well seasoned and the nduja was a great addition to the sauce. Even though I am a huge fan of mussels, my husband doesn’t seem to like them that much. However, he said these mussels were amazing. It has a thick cream underneath them and the bread slice was a great surprise. We ate this sauce as it was a soup. Incredible.

The wild garlic pasta (sorry, I forgot the name of the pasta, my bad) was super flavourful, but well balanced. The egg yolk is a great addition to the wild garlic sauce and it makes it even creamier. Tip: ask for pieces of bread to dip into the sauce. It’s just too good to not eat it like this.

The lemon sole was another great surprise. Even though lemon sole fish is tasty by itself, the way they prepared is just… better. It was tender, juicy, full of flavour. I felt like it was melting in my tongue. As a side, we got potatoes and they were crispy, buttery and soft inside.

Well, we were so full after our dinner that we had to skip dessert, which was a shame. But we got the house amaro to finish our meal and I strongly recommend it. We barely drink alcohol, so we only had soft drinks (the homemade lemonade is really refreshing!), but the amaro was worth to drink.

Finally, I was really happy with the laid-back service and the atmosphere. Our waiter was friendly, but also quite relaxed, which I think matches the casual atmosphere. The restaurant is busy, but I could still have a conversation with my husband without having to yell. You can hear people talk for sure, but it’s not overwhelming.

I hope to...