L’Anima is a design haven, a smart, award-winning Italian restaurant in the heart of the city. The menu, which I only glanced at, offers enticing contemporary Italian dishes by renowned chef Francesco Mazzei.
Three of us met up there for an after-work aperitivo, a lovely Italian tradition of drinks and nibbles in the early evening. This habit is becoming more popular across the rest of Europe, as restaurants begin to cater for guests wishing to just stay for a cocktail and snack. Hidden around the corner from Liverpool Street Station, L’Anima is not easy to find and I felt flustered when I arrived after fighting through the swarm of suited businessmen on the streets outside. Unlike many of the venues in this corporate-orientated area, L’Anima manages to create a stylish and relaxed atmosphere.
The cocktail list is dominated by Campari-based aperitivi, typically strong, bitter drinks with a splash of Prosecco or other mixer. Not a fan of a bitter taste, I chose one of the more subtle Martini cocktails: the fresh ginger, green apple, bison grass Zubrowka vodka, and apple juice present an energising and sweet drink. My friend chose the much-recommended L’Anima Star, an unusual combination of exotic flavours with a dash of Prosecco to finish. This passionfruit and vanilla orange concoction was beautifully presented with half a passionfruit floating on the surface. Served alongside it was a vintage glass containing an iced shot of Prosecco. My second guest tried the more grownup and traditional L’Anima Negroni, a twist on the original recipe using vanilla aromatic vermouth and a touch of tequila. Served in a tumbler with an impressive ball of ice, this was more of a boy’s drink.
I almost forgot about the food aspect of aperitivo. A small newspaper-lined bowl arrived halfway through our drinks. Delicious mouthfuls of pastry with a tangy tomato and cheese interior. It was a nice bite, though I expected something slightly more substantial.
The drinks were delicious and the atmosphere supercool, hopefully next time I’ll try the restaurant but this time it was not to be. We left in search of supper elsewhere.
More information and book here: www.lanima.co.uk