Inside Sartoria Liverpool Street: A Stylish Italian Dining Experience Worth the Journey
One of London’s many charms is the fact that it’s an ever-evolving city. Constantly moving, growing and changing. One of the biggest developments in recent times has been the opening of the Elizabeth Line on the Underground.
Named after our dear, departed Queen, who officially opened it in 2022, it has enormous trains, about 200 metres long, (roughly twice the length of a typical Tube train). And the stations are a marvel to behold – a truly exceptional tube line that is always a pleasure to travel on.
Which makes today’s London escapade even more exciting. We’re heading to Liverpool Street – a journey that’s significantly shorter thanks to the Elizabeth Line. Liverpool Station, which is on the edge of the City of London, and one of the busiest stations in the UK, opened in 1874. It was built on the site of the old Bethlem Royal Hospital – one of the world’s oldest psychiatric hospitals, better known as Bedlam. During the construction of the Elizabeth Line, archaeologists discovered thousands of skeletons beneath the station, including victims linked to the Great Plague. London’s layers of history never cease to amaze me.
Clearly a lot is happening around this huge, bustling station. Including our lunchtime destination today – the newly opened Sartoria Liverpool Street. The original Sartoria has been a shining star in stylish Savile Row since 1998 and this is the latest addition to the portfolio – and just a short walk from the station.
The restaurant is set in a beautiful space, understately elegant and decorated in warm, jewel colours. The menu offers plenty of pure Italian delights, starting with aperitivos – so it’s Bellinis all round while we make our menu decisions.
Starters are easy. My absolute favourite starter in the world is on the menu – vitello tonnato. And it’s absolutely perfect – thinly sliced veal carpaccion topped with a creamy and zesty tuna and caper sauce. I know it sounds weird, but seriously, it’s one of the best things you’re ever going to taste.
The crudo di tonna – tuna tartare with pickled Tropea onions – sounds tempting, and tastes even better. An exceptional dressing brings together Asian flavours and a chilli hit, perfectly complementing the freshest of finely diced tuna.
As luck would have it, the main course selection also includes a long-time favourite and today it’s for two. Impossible to resist. The Real Veal Milanese is described as a tender veal cutlet served with a tomato and lettuce salad. It’s delivered to the table with drama, a giant cutlet that is carved in front of us with skill. Love a bit of ceremony. The chef decides to deliver a bowl of crispy oven-baked tomatoes as an accompaniment and he’s right – we needed these in our lives. What a feast!
Dessert has to be tiramisu and, again, we are surprised when a giant glass bowl of this classic Italian pudding arrives at the table. A generous portion is spooned out. The perfect finish accompanied by Limencello, of course.
Another Sartoria in London is undoubtedly a happy thing. And the perfect excuse to hop on board the Elizabeth line and get across London in a surprisingly short time.
Sartoria Liverpool Street is at 16 New Street, Devonshire Square, London EC2M, just a few minutes’ walk from Liverpool Street station.
Find out more at www.sartoria-liverpoolstreet.co.uk
Words by Sandy Cadiz-Smith