Dining Review: Every now and then you stumble upon a gem of a restaurant buried in the maze of streets that is London.
My friend and I discover Babbo while wandering around Mayfair on a cold winter evening – it’s about a five-minute walk from The Ritz.
The warm light glowing from the chandeliers welcome us in and we are seated near the window so we can watch the world go by.
It’s a classy-looking establishment; the crisp white tablecloths adding a touch of formality to an otherwise rustic-Tuscany-meets-modern style.
I accept a glass of prosecco and sip the fizzy nectar while looking over the menu – the waiter spots that my friend is eight months pregnant and kindly offers her an alternative drink.
The dishes are authentically Italian – from fine meats and cheeses to a vast array of pastas and fish.
We delve into the delicious homemade bread while we wait for our meals to be served.
The restaurant is busy, but not cramped, despite it being fairly cosy in size. It’s the type of place that you can while away a few hours, while drinking good wine. And, it just so happens that Babbo stocks one of my favourite red wines – a Montepulciano D’Abruzzo, which is served in an elegantly quirky large glass (£7).
My starter soon arrives – Caprese di burrata e basilico (£8.50); a gorgeous fresh Italian cheese which is made from mozzarella and cream, served with tangy tomatoes and basil. It’s delicious.
Lynne opts for the Calamari fritti (£9.25). The fresh meaty fried squid and crispy batter also get the thumbs up.
So far so good. The standard of food is very high. But that’s not a great surprise with Douglas Santi – who has previously worked as a Sous Chef under Alain Ducasse at Monaco’s acclaimed Louis XV restaurant – as head chef.
Soon enough, our mains arrive. I asked for a pasta and tomato dish – and that’s exactly what I get - linguine in a rich, red sauce – although I was hoping that the chef would have been adventurous. Although it is unfaultable.
The Gamberoni alla plancia con pomodori e melanzane marinate (£27.50), however, more than meets Lynne’s expectations – the succulent grilled king prawns are served with delicious marinated tomatoes and aubergine. Clearly, it’s rude to leave a restaurant without having dessert, so I order the mango cheesecake (£6), which is soft, creamy and divine, while Lynne takes the waiter’s recommendation of the fresh fruit plate (£7.50), which is bursting with colour.
We’ve been suitably wined and dined – and suitably impressed. If Babbo is the type of restaurant you’re able to stumble across during a night in London, it’s worth having a wander more often.
