This ristorante is where Behnaz Sanjana headed for hearty, soul-satisfying Italian food.
There are some eateries that keep me on alert throughout the meal, then there are some, like Fatto Trattoria E Pizzeria, that allow me to switch to relaxation mode in a bright and easy-going atmosphere.
After settling down with the snazzy digital menu, you will notice the finer points at Fatto. The patterned flooring and the outsized metallic lampshades hanging over the main dining rectangle offer a warm welcome. The pizza oven seen here is fired with all-natural wood brought in straight from Italy. This makes a big difference in the cooking process and taste of the final product, we’re told.
Ladies will appreciate the little foldable stool that their steward thoughtfully sets beside them to place their precious handbag on. The amiable attentiveness of the staff and the rustic tableware are the other touches that make one feel comfortably fuzzy – just like in grandma’s kitchen. Also available is a private room that can seat 14-16 guests for special celebrations or cozy get-togethers.
The same hospitality can be seen, smelt and tasted in the food at Fatto. The extensive menu offers options including starters, soup, salads, Italian sandwiches, pasta, sides, risotto, grilled entrée and, of course, pizza and dessert.
I have to add that beverages are taken pretty seriously here. My Passione was a pleasing concoction of coconut water shaken with morello cherry, vanilla and cinnamon, and kept me good company through the meal. My friend’s Scarlatta – watermelon, pomegranate and raspberry – refreshed with each sip.
Crocchette Di Formaggio came as golden-crusted spheres comprising three cheeses with basil and ranch sauce. With a weightless interior and a hint of sundried tomato, definitely not your average cheeseball. The Caesar salad gave us our healthy fix of cool greens paired with warm chicken, while Gamberi Croccanti in Agrodolce – crunchy fried prawns with red quinoa, pesto labneh and ranch sauce – left us gleeful for more.
I sat up straight when the pasta arrived, because therein lay the moment of truth. Italian, if not done right, can easily be heavy and gluggy on the tongue and in the tummy. But not the Casarecce Di Vitello at Fatto. This simple dish isn’t overcrowded with ingredients — just an almost-translucent veal ragù, melty meat, pasta, lemon zest and parsley, with the stout flavour of the protein reigning supreme.
Penne E Pollo Al Pomodoro Rosso was a toss-together of moist chicken and pasta baked in a rose sauce under a light blanket of mozzarella and parmesan. Thank goodness for the choice of ordering smaller portions that allowed us girls to sample more from the menu.
Fatto doesn’t offer or expect any pretenses from its guests. Set aside the cutlery please, and dig right in to the pizza, just as they do in southern Europe. We sampled Avorita first – a happy permutation of a blonde crust and tomato goodness topped with fresh limoncello-hued avocado, showered with parmesan. The star, literally and figuratively, of the pizza selection is Matteo. It’s a vibrant topping of red and yellow cherry tomatoes, rocca leaves, parmesan shavings and a smattering of pepper on a thin crust, with little pillows of buffalo mozzarella providing a cushion against the crispy edges of the star-shaped creation.
The finale to our delightful meal was a layered square of tiramisu. The coffee-soaked biscuit and mascarpone, which floated on the tongue, went well with the rough of the crushed hazelnut garnish.
So, is Fatto the must-do for your next ladies’ brunch, lunch or night out? Well, with fare that is big on taste, texture and presentation in a trendy but homey environment, the answer would be a resounding “Yes!”
