Let’s be honest. London isn’t short of Italian restaurants. However, we’re pretty certain we’ve found its most decadent in Piazza Italiana.
It’s housed in a spectacular grade-II listed building – the former home of the British Linen Bank – in the heart of the city. Which is pretty handy, as aside from the restaurant and bar, it’s also an event space (perfect for the return of those spenny city boy P.A.R.T.I.E.S).
The glam squad has been in – think intricate ceilings, wood panels galore and marble columns. It sets the scene for some rather elegant Italian fare, courtesy of Sicilian chef Remo Mazzucato who has over 50 years of cooking experience. Fair to say, you’re in safe hands.
To start then, we’d begin with a glass of prosecco (although we’d have liked to see Franciacorta available by the glass), before delving into the antipasti selection. Yellowfin tuna tartare is served with creamy avocado mousse topped with slow-cooked egg yolk, or the oozy burrata with tomatoes, capers and balsamic pearls.
Despite an extensive menu, the star of the show is undoubtedly the tagliolini al tartufo. However, the signature dish – tagliolini with truffle sauce spun in a pecorino wheel at the table – is sadly only available with all the theatrics, in the evening. As we were dining at lunch we’ll have to return. We happily resorted to vongole, served with bucatini, fresh clams, a hearty dose of garlic, chilli and white wine. Summer on a plate.
Other things to note are the cicchetti menu (aka, Italian tapas) ideal with cocktails for the post-work crowd, and the weekday breakfast menu (complete with Eggs Piazza Italiana – toasted ciabatta with prosciutto cotto ham, truffle pecorino cheese sauce, poached or fried eggs and fresh black truffle) for those all-important breakfast meetings. The cheeseboard selection is also pretty impressive or delve head-first into tiramasu.
Also during the week, the lunch set menu offers time-strapped local workers a menu of two courses for £27.50 and three courses for £30.
