Italian restaurant Osteria has opened within the Barbican performing arts centre in the space formerly occupied by the Gin Joint. This new venture has been created by Searcys and is set on the second floor. Affording guests glorious views of the Barbican Lakeside and the city skyline, it has a modern décor with brass fixtures. Walls are lined with pictures from artists of the Limoncello Gallery in Hagerston, and taking centre stage is an old meat slicer and table showcasing house-made charcuterie. Herringbone parquet flooring separates the restaurant from the bar displaying a neon sign saying "Amore Bibo", Latin for "I drink with Love".

The kitchen looks to Italian dishes with a focus on fresh ingredients and seasonality. As a curtain raiser there's grilled octopus, spiced Borlotti beans and smoked peppers or thinly sliced Parma ham and fresh melon. Main courses usher in slow cooked shoulder of lamb, Bramata polenta and roast onions or from the sea choose charred squid, mussels and prawn fusili. Desserts stay close to home with a vanilla panna cotta served with crushed raspberries or a warm cherry and almond cake and mascarpone.

Accompanying the menu is an extensive list of excellent Italian wines, well-crafted cocktails and an impressive selection of gins, courtesy of its former life as the Gin Joint.

Osteria is also featured in: Hardens

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Italian

Lunch: 12.00 - 2.15pm Mon-Sat
Dinner: 7.30 - 10.00pm Mon-Sat

Visa, Master Card, American Express

• Pre theater meals
• Disabled access
• Private dining room
• Private parties

Nearest tube station: Barbican