Il Bistrotto is an Italian bistro, cocktail bar and wine bar on Hollywood Road in Chelsea. Its identity draws on a concept first developed between Genoa and Portofino, bringing an informal Mediterranean sensibility to a compact London dining room.
Food is designed as a collection of small dishes to share, with the kitchen choosing the order in which plates arrive. Focaccia al formaggio, pizzata and panissa establish the Ligurian influence, while salads, soup and aubergine parmigiana provide several vegetable led ways to begin.
Beef ragù arancini, fried calamari, tuna tartare and beef carpaccio sit alongside more substantial plates such as grilled lamb, rabbit alla cacciatora and a saffron bao filled with ossobuco and gremolata. A pasta of the day adds a changing option shaped by the kitchen and the market.
Cocktails and natural wines are an important part of the experience, making the restaurant as suitable for drinks with a few plates as for a longer meal. House desserts, dark chocolate with rum and a fior di latte affogato offer concise finishes that remain in keeping with the Italian character.
Address: 6 Hollywood Road, London SW10 9HY, England