Trattoria la Ruga

Walthamstow’s Trattoria La Ruga, located on the distinctly upmarket Orford Road, has built up a loyal following of regulars by word of mouth. It’s the kind of place that local cabbies will tip you off about, warning you not to let the world & his wife in on the secret. Although Italian in name & spirit, it is really more of a trattoria-bistro hybrid, serving classic pasta in two sizes – carbonara, Genovese, burro e aglio, & the like – alongside red onion tart, say, or steak with peppercorn sauce. Seafood has always been a speciality here, so you can’t go far wrong with some tiger prawns with mayo or kingfish steak with skordalia. Menus are designed to suit both midweek suppers & special occasions. The quaint picture-hung dining room is minuscule, so booking is always advisable.