Opening in late August 2019, Berto is a hand-made fresh pasta concept from the team behind neighbourhood pizzeria Zia Lucia. The authentic, artisanal pasta restaurant will sit next to its sister venue on Holloway Road.
Just as Zia Lucia uses different flours to create four signature pizza doughs, Berto will serve a selection of pasta doughs made from traditional, wholemeal and gluten-free flours. The concise menu will focus on intricately created and simply served fresh pasta, made onsite daily. Hand-crafted pastas include fresh egg tagliatelle and pappardelle, vegan pici, gnocchi and filled pasta such as ravioli, all effortlessly dressed with both classic and inventive sauces made with the finest Italian produce. Maintaining its ethos of great value genuine Italian food, all generous pasta dishes at Berto will be priced from £8 – £13 and the menu will also feature a changing selection of seasonal specials.
‘Berto’, much like Lucia is a prominent figure in the lives of restaurant owners Claudio Vescovo and Gianluca D’Angelo. An expert pasta maker, friend and teacher, Piero – or ‘Berto’ as they call him – is both the inspiration behind the evolvement of the brand and a key figure in the restaurant. Berto owns a pasta shop in his home town of Ronciglione, just north of Rome, where has worked for over 25 years researching antique flours, tools and recipes to hone his craft. Working closely with Claudio and Gianluca, they have devised a selection of pasta styles that combine these traditional techniques with a progressive approach to Italian food. Berto will train the in-house team to ensure that Londoners can enjoy the taste of authentic Italian pasta, without leaving the capital.
Claudio, Gianluca and Berto have combined their passion and nostalgia for wholesome Italian ingredients to create a menu that lets regional produce shine. Guests can expect to start the evening with a spritz paired with Roman-style Puntarella, or Carciofo, or an assortment of Fritti, followed by Caseificio – a selection of young, fresh cheeses including a mouth-watering Stracciatella – all served on colourful Umbrian pottery. The drinks menu will include a broad selection of Italian wines stretching from Sicily to Piedmont, alongside beers from North London brewers, Hammerton Brewery, and succinct cocktail list of aperitivo and digestivo.
The 45-cover restaurant will be centred around a pasta bar, where diners can enjoy long suppers or a quick bite and a glass of wine while looking onto the craftsmanship that goes into fresh pasta making. The open counter will be set beneath a central skylight which will let streams of natural light into the restaurant. A warm, golden-toned wall will be offset by natural brick, brass light fixtures and foliage, creating a bright, airy restaurant and a convivial Italian dining experience.
