THREE OTHER MAYFAIR ITALIANS
BABBO
One of Mayfair’s few homely restaurants, it’s one of the area’s best Italians, providing rustic elegance instead of gloss and high design. The menu is rich and impressive, with lots of regional favourites. Think beef carpaccio, parmesan cheese, mustard sauce and capers from Pantelleria Island and a great big seabass in salt crust. 39 Albemarle St, www.babborestaurant.co.uk
MURANO
Angela Hartnett’s baby was a smash hit from the moment it opened.?For my money it’s a little sterile, but the food is spot on if a bit over-refined. One of the menu’s hits is the peach and fresh almond salad with basil and broad beans and the seasonal risottos are consistently great. A good lunch menu mitigates the expensive a la carte. 20-22 Queen Street, www.angela-hartnett.com
RISTORANTE SEMPLICE
How does homemade egg pasta with venison ragout and black cabbage sauce sound to you? Or perhaps, squid ink gnoccheti with sauteed cuttle fish and spinach sauce? Well, let me tell you they’ll be as delicious as the life-changing risotto Milanese that made the place famous. Seriously elegant too, this is my favourite Italian in town. 9-10 Blenheim Street, www.ristorantesemplice.com