So what’s a Tigella?
Tigella is a Northern Italian traditional rural stuffed bread originating from the forests of Apennine mountains.
A tigella is a small, slim wood-fire baked disc of Italian dough (not too dissimilar in taste to a pannini) that you slice open with your knife and fill with meats, cheeses or even sweet things. You can eat them as a light meal on their own or have them as a starter. They are filling though.
On their own they cost around £1.50 but it is usual to have a wooden platter where you tuck into three of them with assorted fillings such as fried gnocci, parma ham, prosciutto, stracchino, salami, parmigiana, olives and sundried tomatoes (£9.95 per person) – as well as more adventurous and vegetarian options. You are presented with a little card to show you what to do. Interactive, social and fun.
And where do you get them?
Manitoba Tigella is a few minutes’ walk from Tottenham Court Road on New Oxford Street. The place is all black and white chic sophistication. Downstairs there’s a super-modern bar – with backlighting to add to the atmosphere – and you can sit up at the counter on bar stools and enjoy some food or what appears to be excellent coffee (there’s a huge Italian coffee machine as you would expect). You can also spy the cooking theatre from here to see the tigella being made.
Then, beside a tree adding a welcome splash of natural colour, there’s a staircase to the open minstrel’s gallery where there is more seating for those who wish to take their time.
Also on the menu
But Manitoba serves more than Tigella. On the menu were focacce bread sandwiches, salads ranging from £8.50 to £11.50, pasta (Carbonara at £9.50, Tortellini with parma ham sauce at £9 and trofie al pesto (£8.50)) as well as a selection of fish and meat dishes. These included tuna tartare (£15), an interesting looking fish soup (£9), lamb cutlets (£18) and steak (Angus 9oz £20.50). Desserts include Italian favourites including panna cotta (with a strawberry coulis and lemon streusel £4.95).
There’s also an excellent selection of wines – from the everyday to the celebratory. And, of course, a range of Italian beers including Peroni.
Whilst its location makes it convenient for grabbing a bite before or after an evening at The Dominion Theatre around the corner, it would also be a good destination for an informal, inexpensive and fun dining experience with friends. And it’s also open for breakfast with freshly baked cakes and biscuits.
And watch out – it’s hosting a Fright Night on 31 October.
Further details: http://manitobatigella.com/
