Date Night — Best Italian in East London

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Pasta al tartufo

A satisfying, 'dank bowl' of fresh mafalda ribbons littered with black Molise truffle, mascarpone, and button mushrooms that critics call 'downright delicious.'

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Pork Cheek Agnolotti

Consistently praised as 'flawlessly realised,' this pasta is served in a 'buttery porcini sauce ripe with parmesan' and is noted as a dish it would be a 'mistake to ignore.'

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Hokkaido milk bread

Consistently hailed as '100% the right way to start any meal,' this bread is celebrated for its cloud-like texture and unique accompaniments like kumquat and burnt honey butter.

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Tonnarelli, brown crab cacio e pepe

This is the "dish you'll see most on Instagram" and for good reason. Critics describe the rust-coloured sauce as having a "deep, savoury kick" that is "VERY good."

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Tortellini with Truffle & Kombu

This dish perfectly illustrates the restaurant's 'dual culinary inspiration,' blending Italian technique with Japanese depth.

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Brown Crab Arancini

Universally praised as an 'easy recommendation' and a 'great, filling start' to the meal.

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Tiramisu

Described as 'superlative' and quintessential Italian comfort food, this dish is a staple of the restaurant's nostalgic charm and was even selected for Charli xcx's wedding menu.

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Pappardelle with Pork Ragu Meatballs and Burrata

Regarded as 'among the best' ever had by critics, this dish features 'lovely lively pasta' and a 'big dollop of cooling burrata' on top.

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Gnocco Fritto with Wild Boar Mortadella

Ombra has perfected this classic, serving golden, lightly fried dough that offers a "gratifying crunch before almost melting away" under peppery slices of mortadella.

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Tiramisu

A beautifully constructed, weightlessly fluffy marvel of cream with the pronounced, leavening bitterness of sprinkled ground coffee, hailed as an unequivocal high point.

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Mafaldine

An 'explosion of Italianity at each bite,' this dish showcases the technique of a chef who mastered her craft in Florence to create food that 'comforts the heart.'

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Fresh Sandwiches

The deli focuses on the owner's "culinary heritage" and serves as a "community place" for a quick, reliable meal in what is dubbed one of Hackney’s liveliest hang-outs.