Sweet Basil

‘Sweet by name & sweet by nature’ is the verdict on this friendly, family-run Italian on the fringe of Spitalfields Market. There’s nothing terribly fancy about the decor, but its scrubbed brick & crisp white napery are effective. Much the same could be said of the restaurant menu, which includes a starter of yellow fin tuna carpaccio marinated in red wine & red wine vinegar & a main course of marinated duck breast pan fried with soy sauce, redcurrant jelly & garlic. There’s also plenty that’s familiar, from the bresaola & rocket salads to some familiar pasta sauces & the inevitable steaks & veal escalopes. Champagnes aside, the wine list is all Italian, with everything from a bargain Sangiovese to some big-ticket Brunellos. Toppings in the basement pizzeria climb in price & complexity from the £6.25 margharita.