Knightsbridge, Italian Restaurant Guide

This “long-established” family-owned Italian in a Venetian Gothic building near the Albert Hall is “set up as a sort of homage to Princess Diana”, who used to bring Princes Wills and Harry for pizza and pasta.

“Don’t be put off by the tourist location or the gold frontage” if you visit the flagship branch of this successful Italian chain near Piccadilly Circus (which is due to double in size over 2023). For a national group, it and its siblings deliver a surprisingly high-quality formula that mixes “a great range of Venetian-style small plates” with “friendly and efficient” service and “bright and vibrant interiors” which create a “wonderful and buzzing atmosphere”. Top Tip – “super for pre-theatre eating”.