Victoria has seen a fair few new restaurants pop up in Nova complex recently. Hai Cenato is just one of Jason Atherton’s trendy New York style eateries that is definitely worth a look in. There’s a real buzz at lunch time, at the newest Italian in town, where they are serving up pizza from golden wood fired ovens. The décor is rather modern, with caricatures of famous chefs plastered all over the walls.
The sea salt and rosemary focaccia served with olive oil and balsamic vinegar was fragrant, and ever so light and airy.
Despite the temptation to try all the unusual pizza toppings, and grilled sharing platters there’s something alluring about a margarita pizza. The wood fired sour dough pizza topped with San Marzano tomato, buffalo mozzarella and basil is just perfect.
So if you’re not in the mood for pizza, the confit lamb neck, aubergine, spiced with Ras El Hanout and yoghurt and mint is a good option. It’s more like a gourmet deconstructed kebab than pizza but still rather delicious.
There was definitely some food envy, as the table beside us dug in to the Black treacle cured pork knuckle, San Marzano tomato & white bean ribollita. It smelled and looked amazing and we know what we will be ordering next time.
The 70% cocoa and coffee fondant is just divine. As warm hot chocolate oozes out, each mouthful has crispy puffed rice to add some crunch and a subtle hint of butterscotch alongside a slightly sour frozen crème fraiche.
Hai Cenato is a great place for a trendy millennial celebrating a birthday. The Drunken Oyster is the über cool cocktail bar upstairs, to get the party started.
Hai Cenato, Sir Simon Milton Square, London, SW1E 5DJ
