Just a short stroll from the frenzy of Oxford Circus, 2 Veneti offers a rather welcome change of pace. The epitome of a family-run trattoria, owner Simon Piovesan first opened its doors back in 2006, bringing soulful Venetian classics and a larger-than-life personality to this little corner of the capital.
Hospitality here extends far beyond general niceties: regulars are greeted by name, wine recommendations are delivered seamlessly, and within moments of sitting down our table is already crowded with bread baskets and bowls of briny olives. It’s the sort of place where you suspect half the dining room has been coming for years.
We begin outside on the terrace, slightly hemmed in by tourists and passing traffic, but nonetheless it’s a perfectly pleasant spot for an aperitivo. A Venetian Spritz swaps Aperol for Select, bringing a bolder, fruitier bitterness that pairs beautifully with a spread of cicchetti. Homemade focaccia arrives with a herb-laced tomato topping, whilst deep-fried olives arrive crisp and golden in a breadcrumbed coating, their sharp acidity cutting through the rich meat stuffing inside.
Inside, the dining room leans into old-school Italian charm, all crisp white tablecloths, maroon leather seating, and a wall of exposed brick archways that divides the room in two. Framed prints of Venetian landmarks line the walls, whilst wooden window boxes overflow with dog-eared cookbooks.
The menu is a confident tour of Venetian classics. Whipped salted cod atop grilled polenta is outrageously light and briny, flecked with the sharpness of fried capers. Stracciatella arrives laden with artichoke hearts and candied lemon slices, balancing creamy indulgence with a citrussy sweetness.
Pasta is a highlight. Thick strands of bigoli come tangled through a slow-cooked duck and guinea fowl ragu - gently fatty and deeply satisfying without ever feeling heavy. Roasted potato gnocchi with green and white asparagus is a simpler affair; dusted with parmesan and a good crack of black pepper, it lets the vegetables do the talking, though the promised black truffle remains a touch too restrained. Best of all is a black ink risotto studded with chunks of cuttlefish - punchy, intensely savoury, and finished with a vivid green herb oil that cuts through the richness. It's one of today's specials, though it definitely warrants a spot on the permanent a la carte.
Two decades on, 2 Veneti continues to do exactly what it does best: honest Venetian cooking served with warmth and genuine heart.