Situated a mere BlackBerry's throw from Liverpool Street and designed by architect Claudio Silvestrin, the look is minimalist and sleek. I thought Mazzei's homely cuisine ethos would be a misfit in this chic glass restaurant - until, that is, an elegant palm tree made of beef marrow wafted past. You see, presentation here is exquisite. Having feasted on complimentary nut-stuffed bread and gobstopper green olives we tucked into starters. We had a gorgeously creamy £8.50 dish of wood-roast aubergine and burrata ("cow mozzarella filled with fresh cream" explained the menu), and a £13 zesty crab, avocado and carasau ("Sardinian crispy flat bread") with bags of flavour. My date had a Sicilian rabbit, (£13) the soft, tasty meat served with pistachios. My signature dish - a rather unremarkable fish stew with Sardinian fregola - wasn't quite the wow you'd expect for £20. But I was perked up by our delightful (and free) taster of dreamy hazelnut ice cream, which came compliments of the chef, who, we were told, "welcomed our comments". Well, bribery will get you everywhere.
