Rotorino

Restaurant and wine bar from Dock Kitchen’s Stevie Parle bringing southern Italian cooking, wonderful wines and a warm east London welcome to Dalston. Having opened on 10 April, the 60 cover restaurant and separate 40 cover wine bar on Kingsland Road offers relaxed dining and drinking with a focus on fresh ingredients and simple, delicious dishes. Taking its influence from one of the most culinary rich parts of the world, Rotorino creates unique dishes for the growing urban community looking for a stylish, grown up and gimmick-free setting to enjoy great food and drink.

Offering evening dinner and drinks throughout the week, and brunch, lunch & dinner menus at the weekend, Rotorino puts an emphasis on honest, frill-free cooking with a focus on wood-grilled fish and meats. A selection of the grilled dishes, such as Turbot with rosemary and vinegar oil and Sasso Chicken with ricotta are served whole for a group dining experience in one of the booths or at the restaurant’s 24 cover communal table. A delicious selection of antipasti, fresh homemade pasta and ice cream-filled Amalfi lemons are also sure to be a hit with the locals. Using day boat fish sourced directly from the south coast of the UK and the very best locally-cured meats from heritage British breeds, Rotorino’s menu is a British celebration of the best of southern Italy, as experienced by Stevie on his travels around Palermo, Sardinia and Puglia. Heading up the kitchen will be Stevie’s cooking companion Alex Jackson, Head Chef at Dock Kitchen.

Rotorino’s menu is categorized into sections such as ‘Cured’, ‘Wood Grill’, ‘Stove’ and ‘Sweet’. Southern Italian gems are transformed into new classics, with a concentration on quality ingredients, rather than elaborate preparation or ‘cheffy’ presentation. The dishes are earthy, unaffected and satisfying; simply cooked and presented in a warm, relaxed atmosphere. Sample dishes include the Spleen Sandwich with ricotta and salsa verde, Sea Bream Carpaccio with squashed datterini tomato and marjoram, and Pea Gnudi with buffalo ricotta, peas, sage, parmesan and butter. Dessert options include Pastiera Napolitana and Cannoli with fennel seed, orange and pistachio.

The Rotorino Bar is one of the best-stocked Italian wine bar in east London. With over 40 wines on offer; half Italian, half from around the world, and many available by the glass or carafe, the wine list at Rotorino has been curated to be accessible, good value and most of all, very drinkable. Customers will be able to choose from two house whites and two house reds by the bottle or glass, as well as a fantastic Prosecco at just £5 (£25 a bottle). The wine list includes a range of Italian fizz from Lambrusco to Moscato and Franciacorta, with aperitivo and Italian craft beers. Separate to the restaurant space, the no-reservations bar will be open for drop-ins for a glass of wine and a bite to eat in the evenings Monday through to Sunday and for brunch and lunch over the weekend.

Rotorino is the first London restaurant venture for Stevie Parle since Dock Kitchen’s opening in 2010, and has been created with backing from founder of The Rushmore Group, Jonathan Downey. Designed by Jonathan Mangham of Mango London Architecture (Milk & Honey, The Clove Club, Sager & Wilde), the interior features inviting booth seating, cherry wood ceilings and stylish geometric patterned tiles. The restaurant also offers a semiprivate dining room seating 12-16 and an outdoor eating area for the warmer months.