Authentic Italian food at TOZI Victoria
I’ve spent a lot of time in Victoria recently, a place I was sure as sure that there were minimal good food options – how wrong I was. This weekend, I was fortunate enough to visit TOZI. This is actually my second visit to a TOZI, having visited the Battersea destination late last year. The lovely fact is, they are both very different experiences.
The vibe of the Victoria destination is warm and friendly, with glamorous and elegant furnishings, and an open plan layout that allows guests to lean into the buzz. And buzzy it is. We visited on a Friday, and it was bustling with a cool and well-dressed crowd.
The menu at TOZI offers residents and visitors a taste of authentic Italy. It’s carefully crafted by Head Chef Maurilio Molteni, an Italian native himself, which translates through to the dishes. These are Ciccchetti-style and created using only the freshest of ingredients.
Dishes are served sharing style and from a number of different headers including Raw, Fritti and Grilled and Baked, for example. Sharing style lends itself to dates and dinners with friends and family, although the larger style dishes are ideal for solo dining and there really is something for everyone here.
For our dish selection, we opted for the Tuna Tartare which was served with chilli, lime and rocket and had a nice, fragrant kick. My friend had never tried burrata before as she must have been living under a rock, so naturally we had to take that first. This was served with roasted aubergine, dry tomatoes and basil pesto – a true taste of Italy.
An Octopus dish was served with chickpea puree, fennel and fried capers, all flavours complementary and beautiful. Our friendly and helpful server directed and recommended some pasta dishes including a Buffalo Ricotta Ravioli with black truffle and a Paccheri served with fresh Devon crab, tomato and basil. You can tell the pasta is fresh, alongside the seafood, each dish offering a small bite of heaven. There were lots of moans of happiness coming from this table.
Desserts were a stretch as we were nice and full, but we managed a Pistachio Tiramisu and a Fig and Almond Tart which were an absolute must – so ensure you keep room.
The team were a real highlight, taking time to explain the dishes and menu, exuding authentic passion and expertise. Notable also were the cocktails, we tried a Negroni and a Dirty Martini which were expertly mixed and tasty. The wine list also has some delicious Italian wines – my personal red wine preference.
Whilst the restaurant is reasonably priced, especially when visiting as a group, I couldn’t help but notice the February lunch set menu which is priced at just £28.95 for three courses. This will allow you to try that beautiful rich and cheesy Aubergine Parmigiana and some dishes we missed such as Zucchini Fritti and a Maccheroni with wild boar ragout, at a reasonable price.
With its location lending itself to a visit if you’re seeing a show at the Apollo Theatre or Victoria Palace Theatre, TOZI also has a delicious pre-theatre menu that is worth exploring too. Don’t miss out!
Find out more here www.tozirestaurant.co.uk
