Angelina

Angelina’s shtick of blending Japanese and Italian cuisine might seem like a novel one, but it’s been tried before – in 2003, Shumi in St James’s served ‘Italian sushi’ (and was widely mocked for its efforts) while in 2016 high-end Japanese Sumosan moved from Mayfair to Knightsbridge, rebranding as Sumosan Twiga and introducing alternative menus of Japanese and Italian dishes.

Here in Dalston, Angelina takes things one step further, combining elements from both culinary traditions in the same dish from a weekly changing five-plate sharing menu. The combination of cuisines is gentler than anticipated – we found what we ate was mostly Italian food with welcome notes of Japanese influence.

Take the fritto misto/tempura, which involves cime di rapa coated in a crisp and lacy batter and served with a sweet soy sauce for dipping. Elsewhere, tomato linguine is pepped up with shavings of wasabi, while dense discs of braised pork are deep-fried and coated in breadcrumbs and served with a sweet-and-sour sauce. To finish, there’s an exemplary take on a rice pudding – a creamy concoction studded with chunks of tart blood orange, pellets of pistachio and finished off with chocolate shavings.  

It’s a chic and minimalist space, featuring streaked marble tables, hanging Chinese lanterns and an open kitchen complete with counter seating. Another ace up Angelina’s sleeve is its tiny in-house cocktail bar Golden Gai, which has just six seats and operates a strict no-phones policy.

Quirky and cutting-edge without feeling gimmicky, Angelina is a welcome and well-considered addition to Dalston’s burgeoning restaurant scene. 

Fancy something a little different? A blend of two distinct, delicious cuisines? Well you’ll certainly get it at Angelina. Discover a harmonious fusion of Italian and Japanese culinary artistry at this restaurant. In an inviting yet unpretentious setting, the chefs redefine expectations of what you think of these cuisines with their omakase and kaiseki tasting menus, expertly crafted to captivate diverse palates. Embracing the essence of both cuisines, the team challenge traditional notions, delivering dishes that are as visually stunning as they are flavourful.

Driven by a fervor for excellence, the Angelina team carefully source standout ingredients, composing each dish with inventive flavour combinations that delight and surprise. The team’s commitment to culinary innovation extends to their four and 10-course omakase and kaiseki menus, available from Monday through to Saturday evenings, and now, introducing a delicious Saturday lunch option. While the tasting menus are exclusively chef's choice, they are always willing to accommodate dietary preferences with 72 hours' notice.

On the tasting menu, you’ll find delicious dishes such as milk bread adorned with mortadella, pistachio, and shikuwasa, or the rich and flavoursome plate of pizzetta nera crowned with wagyu beef. Progress through the menu with unique creations of yellowtail embellished with truffle soy and herring caviar, and madai paired with grapefruit, wasabi, and sorrel. For those who enjoy steak, try the sirloin accompanied by onion and karashi, followed by the fazzoletti featuring walnut and egg yolk.

Lastly, enjoy a decadent combination of duck, squid, and medlar. The meal finishes with the sweet finale of chocolate crostata and then Buddha's hand and rice.

There's always an impressive wine list at Angelina, which pairs wonderfully with the meal. If you so wish, you can add a wine pairing, or a premium wine pairing option, to your tasting meal to really complement it.