Think abundant foliage, charismatic waiters with a twinkle in their eye and of course, winning tiramisu, and you’ve got Gloria in one. This seductively cosy Italian joint in the heart of Shoreditch, owned by the France-based Italian Big Mamma restaurant group, has accrued a band of loyal followers and it’s easy to see why. The 70’s Capri-style trattoria is run by an 85-strong team from Italy. I popped into the restaurant on a Friday night and there was a bustling atmosphere, with diners in full swing and a golden light casting a magic glow. We took a pew in one of the central booth-style...
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'We're out of tiramisu and the Maia Cup I'm afraid,' the waiter said apologetically. He added that it had been a busy day in the patisserie-cum-restaurant and those two sweets had flown off the counter shelves. This was unsurprising news to me after spending a good few hours at Maia, as this is a little gem of a place that promises to impress, from its chic romantic ambience to its friendly staff and simple but well-done dishes. Firstly, it wins on location, especially if you're a shopper. The corner restaurant is tucked away on Hans Crescent in the heart of the Knightbridge shopping dist...
Read more →I always find it tricky to find a decent spot to eat around Bond Street, but that problem has now evaporated thanks to the addition of Harry’s Bar on James Street. Stepping into the venue on a Friday night, it proved to be a sophisticated old school oasis and a safe haven from the flurry of tourists and shoppers swarming the streets outside. Jazz music was playing, the lighting was low and I could see that my friend Ralph had ordered me a vodka olive martini with one of the white-suited bar men delicately shaking it into a sippable blend. Before dinner we opted for a drink at the bar. Unli...
Read more →It had been a while since I’d been to a classic date spot restaurant – think red roses on the table, white linen and candlelight – but on walking into Osetra Seafood & Steaks in San Diego I instantly fell for it’s old-school charm. It was a Monday night and the large double-floor venue had a nice buzz, with a few couples and a group of friends settling in. Giovanni, the general manager, came to welcome us with a big smile and a delectable dose of Italian charm. Osetra has been open for 14 years in the Gaslamp district and continues to attract diners with its hearty seafood and meat offe...
Read more →Minus the net curtains and swathes of crochet, one new restaurant in San Diego’s Little Italy promises to transport you to the warmth of your grandmother’s house. Located in the heart of the bustling strip of bars and eateries, Nonna (meaning grandmother in Italian) welcomes you in with warm lighting and laid back furnishings. On a Friday night the place was pretty packed come 7pm and a waitress kindly revealed that there was a terrace in the back, which was much quieter. We found a table nestled in one corner and our very friendly waiter from Milan came to run us through the menu. Like it...
Read more →Having opened barely a year ago, Sumoson Twiga is a relative newcomer to the Knightsbridge food scene, but it’s already making an impact, with its three chic floors of dining, drinking and dancing.
Read more →'It feels a bit like we're in a Woody Allen movie,' I mused as I sipped my martini and basked in the warm glamour of Il Pampero. Maybe it was the jolly jazz tootling away in the background that made me feel like I was on a movie set or the romantic mood the place put me in when I stepped through the chic glass doors and was greeted by a duo of smiling doormen. The hot new Belgravia spot, within the boutique Hari hotel, oozes sophisticated cool. Thanks to famed British interior designer Tara Bernerd, the furnishings are a feast for the eyes. Think advant-garde art meets Art Deco, wh...
Read more →Bunga Bunga have brought their brand of cheekiness to central London's theatre land and we can't get enough! The latest project from Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling’s Inception Group, immerses guests in two completely different worlds. BungaTINI on the ground floor is an authentic all-day family friendly Italian pizzeria and bar. And Bunga Bunga downstairs, which is only for the bold and brave we are told!
Read more →Moretti Gran Tour has landed in Shoreditch offering visitors the chance to experience authentic Italian cuisine and experiences, in a relaxed outdoor environment. All our favourties are there: Pizza Pilgrims, Arancini Brothers and Princi’s will be serving up their fresh pizzas, arrancini balls and delicious Italian sanwhiches and cakes. You’ll also find other exciting regional Italian specialties including traditional pasta dishes from Pasta E Basta and vegan interpretations of Sicilian food from Just Fab. And of course plenty of Birra Moretti to wash it all down with!
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