There’s nothing I like more than going out for an Italian. It’s something that you know what you’re getting, but when it’s done well, it really hits the spot. TOZI Battersea is one such space, located in Battersea at the corner of Electric Boulevard with views overlooking the power station. It’s a fantastic location whether you’re after a relaxed lunch with friends, to grab some cicchetti and a glass of wine after work, or for a date night with your other half.
My partner and I head to TOZI Battersea on a Friday afternoon for lunch – something that feels like an extra indulgent way to end the week. We’re all set to tuck into what I’m hoping is a good, hearty Italian. (Spoiler, I was not disappointed!)
The location is perfect, nestled right near the shopping center so you can walk up an appetite, as well as being close to the tube station and bus stops.
The interior of TOZI Battersea was created by Spanish artist Jaime Hayon and is open, warm and inviting all at once. High ceilings are adorned with modern art, while the open kitchen complete with wood-fired pizza ovens means the restaurant is filled with the mouthwatering scents of freshly-baked dough, basil and juicy tomatoes. Wine splashes into glasses, cocktails shakers clink with ice and there is an overall inviting buzz in the air. We’re seated at a window booth where we look out to their terrace – ideal for a spritz in the sun – and peruse the menu.
TOZI translates to ‘a group of friends’ in Italian and this is the perfect place to catch up, feast on their small plates and just relax. To start with we order one of their summer spritz cocktails and a negroni, alongside burrata and calamari to share. The burrata is deliciously creamy, with a side of tangy tomatoes and a sweet balsamic. The calamari fritti is beautifully crisp to the outside with a deliciously soft centre, perfectly accompanied by a squeeze of lemon.
For mains, I choose the napoli pizza which is a beautifully soft dough topped with fior di latte, San Marzano tomatoes, (usually anchovies but I opted out of these), olives and garlic. My partner’s fennel sausage & nduja pizza was also topped with San Marzano tomatoes and fior di latte. Both were utterly delicious, filling without being heavy and flavoured without being overwhelming. There was the perfect topping ratio and it was piping hot with soft melted cheese and a delicate crisp to the crust.
There are a wide range of pizzas on the menu, from a classic margherita, to lobster, black truffle & funghi or even carbonara – with many others in between. Other options include pasta such as pappardelle with wild boar & pecorino, risotto primavera with asparagus, wild garlic, mind and aged parmesan and cacio e pepe. There are also mains such as grilled sea bass or Veal Milanese and a range of sides on offer including truffle fries with aged parmesan and sprouting broccoli with shallot dressing and chilli.
Every course here is cooked perfectly and right in front of you; it’s well worth having a peek when you’re on your way to the bathrooms to see the magic happen!
We round our meal off with dessert (because it’s rude not to right?) And again, it was perfectly presented and a really decadent end to the experience without being too over the top. We share a chocolate tart alongside a selection of ice creams and sorbets, accompanied by an espresso.
Every part of the meal at TOZI battersea was perfect, from the atmosphere and decor, to the dishes themselves. When you’re looking for an authentic-style Italian that packs a punch with flavour and has the best cocktails to match, you won’t be disappointed. Book your table now and be sure to sit outside in the sun while you can!
https://www.tozibattersea.co.uk/
3A Electric Blvd, Nine Elms, London SW11 8BJ
