A brand new Italian restaurant will be opening next Monday at the impressive and regenerated Battersea Power Station in time for the Festive Season and run up to Christmas, and I was fortunate enough to be invited along to a pre-opening dinner to sample a wide range of dishes that feature on the superb menu.
TOZI Grand Cafe, located in the new art’otel London Battersea Power Station, which faces the iconic Grade II Power Station, which will also be opening its doors to its first guests next week, brings the classic elegance of Europe’s Grand Cafés to Battersea Power Station.
TOZI Grand Cafe is the second restaurant to open in London from the TOZI group, the first being located in Victoria, with a third in Vondelpark, Amsterdam.
The hotel’s Executive Head Chef, Lee Streeton, who has worked at Rocco Forte Hotels and Daphne’s, is a member of the Royal Academy of Culinary Arts as well as Hotel Chef of the Year nominee, has been working with TOZI Victoria’s Head Chef Maurilio Molteni on the opening. His cooking firmly rooted with Northern Italian traditions, having overseen operations in Milan, Bergamo and Lake Como.
Together, the two chefs have drawn inspiration from Europe’s famous cafés for this exciting new London all-day dining concept at Battersea Power Station. For example, breakfast features Italian takes on brunch such as baked eggs, spianata piccante, puttanesca and potatoes, whilst the Afternoon Tea menu offers Pasticceria Mignon. The main menu includes TOZI favourites like Veal Milanese and TOZI’s signature lobster linguine. On the all-day menu you can order dishes such as beef carpaccio, pickled mushrooms and Parmesan as well as baked scallop with nduja, served alongside delicious salads and antipasti.
The double-height ground floor restaurant is filled with lots of natural light during the day, thanks to the floor to ceiling windows, and has been designed by award-winning Spanish artist and designer, Jaime Hayon, founder of Hayon Studio. It is dotted with hanging sculptural light fittings and a number of Hayon’s striking tapestries as part of an exhibition of one-off pieces.
The aperitivo menu includes barrel aged Negronis, Bellinis and seasonal spritzes, as well as an all-Italian wine list, carefully paired to match the food menu. On arrival, we were treated to a glass of Ruggeri Prosecco and choice of either the Barrel Aged or Clarified Negroni and Italian Marmellata, which is a mix of Malfy Gin, Lillet, Campari marmalade and bitters. I opted for red wine to go with my meal being winter, choosing the 2021 Negroamaro del Salento, which although young, was rather excellent. This was accompanied by some Rosemary focaccia to prepare us for the main event.
Streeton and his team then treated us to a selection of Antipasti that included one of my favourites, delicious Burrata with coponata, black olives and basil along with a healthy Chicory and pear salad drizzled with Pecorino Gran Riserva.
Our Cicchetti (small snack course) consisted of some surprisingly good Crispy sage and salted anchovies, Veal and Pork meatballs and fabulously tasty Baked Scallops. That was followed by the Secondi, consisting of some Trofie, mushrooms, cavolo nero and Parmesan. The Buffalo ricotta ravioli with black truffle was one of my favourite dishes of the evening along with the Halibut, with the Pappardelle braised wild boar not far behind. I would also recommend ordering a side dish of Steamed spinach and Tenderstem broccoli to go with your meal.
After 12 courses, we were not sure we’d have any room left to try one of their delicious desserts, but in the end managed to make room for a spoonful or two of the Pistachio tiramisu, TOZI affogato, Gianduiotto tart and the winner for me, the Pannacotta with seasonal fruits.
I am very much looking forward to TOZi Grand Cafe officially opening so that I can pop back with some friends, and with a good knowledge of the menu, I think I know what I will choose!
Rounding off what was a fabulous evening, I leave you with Streeton summing up his new restaurant by saying:
“I am incredibly excited for the launch of TOZI Grand Cafe. We’re taking the essence of TOZI Victoria and TOZI Amsterdam into a stunning new space, alongside exquisite art and design. Our elegant Italian menu is inspired by the theatre of Europe’s Grand Cafes, and we are looking forward to bringing a little of la dolce vita to the heart of Battersea.”
TOZI Grand Cafe officially opens on Monday 12th December 2022.
The Details
TOZI Grand Cafe, 3a Electric Boulevard, London, SW11 8BJ, England.
Tel: +44 (0)203 833 8200
Website: www.tozigrandcafe.co.uk
Email: info@tozigrandcafe.co.uk
TOZI Grand Cafe is located on the ground floor of the art’otel London Battersea Power Station with it’s own separate street entrance and is easy to access via Battersea Power Station Tube station on the new extended Northern Line with the station entrance and exit on Battersea Park Road. The restaurant will be open every day from 7:00am to 11:00pm.
Type of Restaurant: Elegant Italian Restaurant
Price Band: Medium
Insider Tip: I can really recommend the Halibut and Buffalo ricotta ravioli with truffles.
Reviewer’s Rating: 9/10
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man On The Ground, a member of The British Guild of Travel Writers and professional photographer.
Photographs courtesy of TOZI Grand Cafe
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