Brutto

 High energy vibe, less on the food

Vitello tonnato

Walking into Brutto, nestled at 35-37 Greenhill Rents in Clerkenwell, London, you are greeted by the kind of energy that suggests a trattoria in full swing rather than a formal white tablecloth venue. The red-and-white gingham tablecloths, the vintage wall art, the faint hum of conversation, and the clinking of cutlery all combine to create a warm but lively environment. The restaurant is a rustic homage to Florence via London, with a meat-forward (no fish!), Tuscan-inspired menu and a friendly, casual approach.

Beef carpaccio

Hand-cut pasta and ox ragu

The menu doesn’t attempt radical reinterpretations but embraces bold, straightforward cooking with good ingredients. The pasta dishes are solid: my 'badly cut' think pasta with ox ragù was fresh, perfectly al dente… coated in a rich, slow-cooked meat ragu, buttery and creamy with a soft sour note, it was very comforting. The main of slow-cooked beef stew in red wine, while the portion might be generous and properly hearty on paper, it was average at best. The meat was chewy and felt a touch dry. I suspected it was cooked on high heat for far too long.

Roasted pork

Slow cooked beef cheek in red wine sauce

Some may find Brutto a bit loud, while the service is friendly and efficient, the atmosphere leans lively rather than relaxed. If the food hits its mark for you, you walk away content and well-fed. If it doesn’t quite, you still feel you got your money’s worth for the setting and effort. Overall, the vibe is strong: authentic, buzzy, informal – a place to settle in, share dishes, have a good drink, but don't expect fireworks in the food.

 

Food 2.5/5


What I paid: 
£80 per head with wine

Average cost without drinks and services:
£60 (dinner)

35-37 Greenhill Rents, London EC1M 6BN

https://msha.ke/brutto/