There is a spoonful of Mediterranean flavour in Whitechapel in the form of Zoom East Kitchen & Bar, a new space in the basement of the Hyatt Place London hotel serving up a menu of Sicilian inspired dishes.
With a head chef hailing from Catania in Vittorio Meli, the restaurant’s menu offers a wealth of dishes reflecting the diversity of Sicilian cuisine, from the North-African influenced Trapani in the Northwest to the coastline regions of Palermo, Messina, Agrigento & Caltanissetta.
It’s a colourful, visual space, including a luscious private dining room, with plenty of tables large and small. Visiting on a Friday evening it was quiet, perhaps not yet benefitting from word of mouth and being in the hotel basement missing out on passing footfall, but nevertheless it slowly filled during the course of our meal.
Tuck into a spread of their antipasti to start. With vibrant nocellera olives, a crisp fritto mist of seafood (the taste of a beachside bar, am I right?) and some impressive saffron and taleggio arancini, along with a creamy burrata accompanied with datterini emulsion, pickled aubergine and pine nuts, the meal was off to a good start.
With a selection of pizzas and secondi meats and seafoods from the grill, the choice is a struggle, but we only had eyes for the pastas. The beef shin mafalde with porcini mushrooms was richly indulgent. The black squid ink risotto al Nero di seppia, with tiny delicious squid and peas, inspired by Catania, is really delicious. But the Granchio linguine, with fresh crab, cherry tomatoes, chilli, garlic and parsley really was the favourite. Finish off with a spread of Sicilian cheeses, a slice of the absurdly good flourless chocolate orange cake or a classic cannoli with your espresso.
There’s no question the food at Zoom East Kitchen & Bar is great, hopefully as it becomes better known the vibe will come. Go forth, book a table, enjoy the pasta and tell your friends.
