London Appetizer

Babbo Restaurant, Mayfair

 Babbo restaurant, located in the heart of Mayfair on Albemarle Street, offers traditional Italian cuisine within an elegant yet intimate setting. Head chef Douglas Santi, has drawn from his experiences cooking around the world to create a regional Italian menu using fresh Italian produce.

Douglas began his career at the age of 13, working for Laurent Saudeau, the right hand man of acclaimed chef Paul Bocuse. In 1999 Santi took on the role of sous chef, working with Alain Ducasse at the renowned Louis XV in Monaco. During the next 5 years he travelled around the globe, working at many of Ducasse’s restaurants from Monaco to New York’s St-Regis, then Paris Plaza Athénéé and finally to the renowned Las Vegas restaurant Mix.

In 2005, he opened his own venture in Sao Paulo, which consequently received top awards for best chef and best restaurant simultaneously. Two years on, Santi returned to his native Italy where in 2008, he became executive chef of Terme de Saturnia, a renowned restaurant and spa in Tuscany.

At Babbo, Douglas’ menu offers an authentic taste of regional Italy, with starters such as Beef carpaccio, Parmesan cheese, mustard sauce and capers from Pantelleria island and Babbo stone crab salad with tomato chutney. Main courses include a variety of home made pasta dishes including Lasagne with meat ragout, Douglas’ signature dish, created from a recipe over 100 years old which was passed onto him by his grandmother. Other highlights include Rack of lamb with almond crust and Seafood stew with Tuscan toasted bread. A selection of Italian desserts is also on offer, including Torta di mela, an apple tart with pine nuts and caramel sauce and Lemon pie made with home made marshmallow.

Babbo’s interior combines Mayfair elegance with the traditional warmth and old-fashioned charm expected from a family-run Italian restaurant.  Clusters of framed family photos adorn the walls alongside a selection of vintage wines showcased next to the wooden staircase.

Upstairs, Babbo offers a secluded private dining room, which can seat up to 14 guests. Diners can choose from the restaurant menu or Douglas is also on hand to offer a bespoke menu, prepared in consultation with the guests. 

Babbo opened at the end of last year to critical acclaim, with restaurant critic Fay Maschler naming it as one of her top restaurants of 2009. 

Babbo

39 Albemarle Street

London

W1S 4JQ

Zia Teresa Restaurant celebrates its ‘Golden Anniversary’

Owned by Stefano Fraquelli of Metropolitan Restaurants and previously owned by his late father, Zia Teresa restaurant in Hans Road, Knightsbridge is this year celebrating its Golden Anniversary. To mark this momentous anniversary and the continuity of management and ownership, Fraquelli is offering every customer a complimentary glass of sparkling, golden Franciacorta wine, in association with one of Italy’s leading producers, La Montina, for the next 12 months.

Zia Teresa’s reputation and on-going success has earned it several accolades over the years, including The Independent's "Best Neighbourhood Restaurant" award in 2005, for "serving hit-the-spot, reliable Italian food." It was the only Knightsbridge restaurant that was consistently voted for by The Independent's discerning readers. Incredibly for these times of credit crunch, sales figures are currently 25% up on last year, validating the impression that Fraquelli really knows how to look after his customers.

When asked about the success of this much-loved restaurant Fraquelli’s explanation is simple; “I’m terribly lucky; it’s probably one of the best locations for a restaurant in the world and we attract all generations from local residents to business people and tourists. They like the fact that the food is good quality without any hefty price tags, which you wouldn’t expect, given the location. People’s demands may appear to have changed over the decades, but in actual fact the success of Zia Teresa comes down to its traditional charm and character and the simplicity of the menu, which still reflects what Italian food has always been about. Nowadays there are very few concepts that are so resilient.”

Further endorsement of this special anniversary comes from Fiat’s flagship store in Marylebone, who have boldly displayed the Zia Teresa Golden Anniversary logo over two of their new Cinquecento model, (Fiat 500). Cinquecento and Zia Teresa could, in fact, both be considered modern day icons, with their roots firmly in the past, but still perfectly apposite in today’s world. One of London’s leading shirt-makers, T M Lewin, have sponsored the staff uniforms and collectively this level of support is a reflection of Fraquelli’s reputation and demonstrates their desire to be associated with this inveterate restaurateur, who was decorated with the esteemed title of ‘Cavaliere’ by the president of the Italian Republic, for his services and contribution to the Italian community.

Customers visiting the restaurant between November 2009 and 2010 will receive a complimentary glass of sparkling, golden Franciacorta wine; and for a limited period, a special 3 course Golden Anniversary Menu for only £15.00.

Christmas Restaurant Discounts - Carluccio's

This winter, kick off the festive season with a visit to one of Carluccio’s Stelline Di Natale Christmas Shopping Evenings and enjoy a fabulous 10% discount on all purchases.

Taking place in every Carluccio’s from 5:30pm on Thursday 3rd and 10th December*, Christmas shoppers will be welcomed with a complimentary winter warming glass of vino cotto (traditional mulled wine) and piccoli assaggi (festive canapés) before being invited to sample and explore an abundance of beautifully wrapped regional Italian gastronomic gifts.

This year’s Christmas range will be in stores from 26th October. Each product has been made for Carluccio’s by some of Italy’s finest artisan producers and includes the classic panettone tradizionale (£15.95 for 1kg) presented in a colourful gift box; salame di cioccolato, a delicious hazelnut and chocolate treat (100g, £4.95); or beautiful gift sets including the celebrazione (£35), which covers all seasonal indulgences, containing prosecco, panettone and a box of traditional Italian hazelnut chocolates.

Why not complete your evening with a specially created festive meal in the caffè. The three-course Christmas menu costs just £20 per person and includes a choice of authentic, delicious seasonal ingredients, where possible sourced from Italy.  To start, enjoy a traditional sharing platter of antipasto massimo (featuring Napoli and Milano salami, stuffed chicken, caponata, oven-roasted tomatoes, olives, and peppers). Indulge in divine main courses like risotto di frutti di mare (seafood risotto with prawns, squid rings and mussels) or bistecca di bue con patate (10 oz chargilled rib steak with rosemary potatoes). Finish off your feast with classic panna cotta (traditional set cream flavoured with vanilla and rum) or pasticcio di cioccolato (chocolate bread and butter pudding served with a vanilla cream).
Buon Natale from Carluccio’s!

F Word finalist joins Bianco Nero

Tamer Hassan, a young chef discovered by Gordon Ramsey, joins Hammersmith’s favourite Italian restaurant bianco nero. Tam was selected, at the age of just 18, from 1500 chefs to be included in the first series of the F Word. He was the youngest finalist and, as joint runner up, was offered a position at Claridges. He decided, however, instead to complete a Grande Diploma at Le Cordon Bleu and his stated ambition was always to own and run his own restaurants. After a spell at Maxims in Paris, and having helped run his father’s restaurant Reubens in Baker Street he now feels ready to take over and run his own restaurant.

He has joined up with existing owner Claire Derry and is taking over day to day management of this popular West London venue.

“I am delighted to have Tam join us, he has worked in his father’s restaurant since he was a small boy and although he is only 22 years old, he knows all there is to know about running a restaurant, it’s in his blood. He brings a passion for food and limitless energy. He is at the markets at the crack of dawn selecting and buying the freshest ingredients to cook for our customers, and sometimes working through the night on the refurbishment of our downstairs area to give us more covers for Christmas time. I am thrilled to have him as a partner, and I am sure our customers will be impressed by all his new ideas.”

Tam

“The experience of being on the F Word was fantastic. I loved working with Gordon and Angela Hartnell, and I now want to put into practice all I have learnt. The first thing I did at bianco nero was to introduce pizzas and start making all our own bread and pasta. I want bianco nero to offer all types of Italian food, from really creative dishes, to simple food that is freshly made from the best ingredients, for people wanting a quick lunch meal. We had a wood fired pizza oven that was not being used, so we can now offer pizza to eat in and take out, but we also have a team that can create anything. Our desserts are raved about, one customer posted a review that they thought they were the best in London.”

Tamer has worked with Head Chef Gaetano Monteriso  to create an exciting new menu and has brought into the kitchen team a specialist pizza chef.

Bianco Nero opened in Hammersmith , west London in October 2007. This chic modern restaurant is a firm favourite with big corporate clients such as Disney and Coca-Cola and has rapidly become a favourite with locals. As its name suggests the stylish décor is black and white. Recent refurbishment over the summer has created an additional dining area downstairs perfect for Christmas parties.

Bianco Nero is offering a £3 discount per head off its 3 Course menu and a £5 per person discount off its 4 Course menu for any Christmas parties of 10 or more people booked by 24 October. There are also offers on  specially selected Italian wines.

RESTARUANT INFORMATION:

Covers: 70/80 upstairs  50 downstairs

Opening Times: Mon-Sat, 12-3pm & 5.30 -10pm (Closed Sundays)

Address: 206-208 Hammersmith Road, London W6 7DP.

Reservations: 020 8748 0212 or online at http://www.bianconerorestaurants.com/reservations.html

Website: www.bianconerorestaurants.com

Contact List for Carluccio's Restaurants

For a genuine taste of regional Italy, head for one of the 40 Carluccio’s caffès situated throughout the UK.

The award-winning Carluccio’s menu has been designed to allow diners the flexibility of enjoying a single dish, a light antipasti or a full three-course meal with wine. All of the dishes are classic and simple in style, each providing a real taste of regional Italy.

Those looking for a light meal or delicious starter should opt for an antipasti dish, soup or salad.  On offer are traditional antipasti such as gamberoni alla griglia (grilled king prawns marinated in chilli and lemon and served with a green salad); fresh hearty soups such as zuppa di funghi con pancetta (a rich soup of mushrooms with Italian bacon), and a range of salads including the perennially popular insalata verde con parmigiano (a salad of little gem lettuce, rocket and parmesan shavings dressed with extra virgin oil and balsamic vinegar).

Main courses include a range of classic pasta dishes such as ravioli and lasagne alongside specialities such as penne giardiniera (Carluccio’s own Pugliese penne with courgette, chilli, deep fried spinach balls with parmesan and garlic); bisetecca di bue con patate (chargrilled ribeye steak with rosemary potatoes and marinated peppers); and branzino con salsa e patate (fillet of sea bass pan-fried with a tomato salad and sautéed potatoes).

For breakfast start your day the Italian way with colazione magnifica, (free range scrambled eggs with grilled pancetta, sautéed mushrooms, tomato and toasted ciabatta) or, in true Italian style, a plate of freshly cut Parma ham.  For those who prefer a more continental-style breakfast, the caffès serve a special breakfast bread tin featuring brioche, croissant and toasted bread with Italian jam or honey; a fresh seasonal fruit plate; as well as a wide selection of pastries.

Real coffee aficionados will appreciate the unusual choice of two blends, the robust Napoli or the smoother and sweeter Milano, both exclusively roasted and blended for Carluccio’s.  Reinforcing the ‘real’ Italian message, the caffès also offer Bicerin, a traditional drink from Torino made with espresso coffee, Florentine drinking chocolate and cream, served in small jugs for you to mix according to taste.

As well as the caffè areas, Carluccio’s also boasts a cornucopia of the highest quality imported regional Italian foods such as extra virgin olive oils, pasta, rice, mushrooms and truffle products.  Fresh produce includes salads, fruit, organic milk, eggs, butter, bread and bakery whilst at the cold counter you will find a fine selection of salamis, hams, cheeses, olives, ice cream, sorbet and tarts.  Banishing dinner dilemmas and party problems, the caffès also offer freshly cooked meals to go, from single dishes to fabulous Italian feasts  - just give them a call to discuss your requirements and budget.

Helping to create the Italian caffè atmosphere, fresh colours, clean lines and contemporary furniture have been used to create a light and airy, yet comfortable dining environment whatever the occasion.  Solo diners can pull up a chair and relax at any of the caffè’s oversized ‘community’ tables strewn with newspapers, magazines and cookbooks.

So, whether dining, shopping or party planning, head for a Carluccio’s where their passion for high quality genuine Italian food always shines through - buon appetito!

The caffès can be found at:
Fenwick, New Bond Street, London W1A 3BS  T: 020 7629 0699
8 Market Place, London W1W 8AG  T: 020 7636 2228
St Christopher’s Place, London W1U 1AY  T: 020 7935 5927
Charter Quay, Kingston-upon-Thames KT1 1HT  T: 020 8549 5898
Reuters Plaza, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AG  T: 020 7719 1749
12 West Smithfield, London EC1A 9JR  T: 020 7329 5904
5-6 The Green, Ealing, London W5 5DA  T: 020 8566 4458
The Village, Bluewater, Greenhithe, Kent DA9 9SE  T: 01322 387 276
7-8 Christopher Place’s, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 5DQ  T: 01727 837681
Fenwick, Brent Cross, Hendon, London NW4 3FN  T: 020 8203 6844p
305-307 Upper Street, Islington, London N1 2TU  T: 020 7359 8167
32 Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1RA  T: 01892 614 968
Bicester Village, Bicester, Oxon OX26 6WD  T: 01869 247 651
236 Fulham Road, London SW10 9NB  T: 020 87376 5960
The Brewhouse, Putney Wharf, London SW15 2JQ  T: 020 789 0591
28 Windsor Royal Station, Windsor, Berkshire SL4 1PJ  T: 01753 852 019
32-34 Rosslyn Hill, Hampstead, London NW3 1NH  T: 020 7794 2184
1-5 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3HZ  T: 020 7581 8101
60 St John’s Wood High Street, St John’s Wood, London NW8 7SH  T: 020 7449 0404
Wood Street, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey, KT1 1TX   T: 020 8549 5807
59 High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9RQ  T: 01372 467 459
Davidson House, Forbury Square, Reading RG1 3EY  T: 01189 583095
108 Westbourne Grove, London W2 5RU T: 020 7243 8164
42 Oxford Castle, Oxford, 0X1 1AY  T: 01865 778033
3 Jubilee Street, Brighton BN1 1GE  T: 01273 690 493
342 – 344 Chiswick High Road, W4 5TA  T: 020 8995 8073
31 –35 Kew Road, Richmond, TW9 2NQ  T:020 8940 5037
1, The Brunswick, London, WC1N 1AF  T:020 7833 4100
27 Spital Square, London, E1 6DZ  T:020 7392 7662
The Great Hall, Trafford Centre, Manchester, M17 8AA   T:0161 747 4973
The Heart, Walton on Thames, Surrey, KT12 1GH T: 01932 246 396
Garrick Street, London, WC2E 8JE  T:020 7836 0990
13 Waterside, Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6BA T: 01789 267 424
3 Hardman Square, Manchester, M3 3EB  T: 0161 839 0623
St Pancras International Station, Pancras Rd, London, NW1 2QP T: 0207 278 7449
Terminal 5 Landside, Heathrow Airport, Hounslow, TW6 2GA T: 0208 283 6213
One Fisher Square, Grand Arcade, Cambridge, CB2 3QF T: 01223 307 046
Quakers Friars, Bristol, BS1 3BU T: 0117 993 8538
Highcross, Leicester, LE1 4SA T: 0116 251 3501
537-539 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW18 4SW T: 020 8947 4651

Christini Restaurant Review

Tucked away down a little dead end street, only 5 mins walk from Paddington station is Christini Italian Restaurant.  Not much to look at from the outside and tiny on the inside.  It's verrrry Italian, with friendly staff, rickety tables and a nice buzz.

The menu is limited to about 6 choices of main course, but I have tried most of them and they are all good.  They do an excellent 2005 Amarone to wash the food down with and it is reasonably priced at about £50 a bottle - a lot for a little restaurant I know, but it is nectar.

So if you live in the area, or like visiting the Victoria pub opposite, give Christini a try - it's nothing super special, but is a great local, dependable option.

Christini Ristorane Italiano

28 Sussex Place

Lancaster Gate

W2 2TH

Nearest tube: Paddington or Lancaster Gate

Tel: 020 7706 7900

www.christini.co.uk

Wine festival at Carluccio's throughout June & July

This summer, from 7th June to 1st August, Carluccio’s will take you back to the ancient vineyards of Sicily with a season of Vini di Famiglia (wines from families) as they celebrate their annual wine festival.

The eight week festival will see Carluccio’s feature some of Sicily’s best wines, conduct special wine tastings, host winemaker dinners and serve authentic Sicilian produce and seasonal delicacies.

THE WINES

Carluccio’s will showcase 11 fantastic wines from the hottest names in Sicilian wine-making with whom they have worked closely with for many years. The family-run Planeta winery and the Cantine Settesoli co-operative is located in one of the most important wine producing areas in Sicily, Menfi. For three generations thousands of Sicilian families have devoted their lives to perfecting the art of traditional wine cultivation – thanks to Diego Planeta, whose daughter Francesca Planeta now runs the Planeta winery, and whose vision has inspired a new generation of premium Sicilian wines with rich exotic varietal blends. From soil to glass, when you taste the finished article of these local wines, you’ll also taste the love, labour and devotion that have gone into this historic local trade.

Whilst the Planeta family is well known for producing some of Italy’s best wines, Settesoli, with its 2,300 growers, is an exception to the general belief that co-operatives can produce anything but commodity wines. Settesoli is relentlessly focused on quality with a whole stream of awards under its various labels a testament to this. In 2006, Settesoli was awarded Winery of the Year in L’Almanacco del Berebene (Italy’s Good Drinkers Guide).

Exclusive to Carluccio’s in the UK, is Planeta’s Alastro (£12.50), which blends native Grecanico grapes with chardonnay to create a rich, fruity and easy drinking wine that’s perfect with fresh fish and risotto.

New wines sourced specially for the Vini Di Famiglia Wine Festival include Settesoli’s Carthago Mandrarossa 2008 (£15.95), recipient of Italian wine’s highest prize, the Gambero Rosso’s coveted Tre Bicchierie (Three Glasses Award). This tantalising red, made from Nero D’Avalo grapes, is intense and spicy with hints of plum, cherry, liquorice and black pepper and is fantastic paired with red meats – particularly great with lasagne.

For a truly summery wine, Planeta’s rosé (£10.50) is a light, fresh syrah with subtle flavours of strawberry and pomegranate, making it ideal as an aperitivo or with light pasta dishes.

Whichever of the 11 Sicilian wines you choose, all deliver on quality and taste whilst being
fantastically priced, from £8.95 to £19.50 per bottle.

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY

Carluccio’s invites wine lovers to discover the wines of Settesoli and Planeta at their complimentary tastings. Every Thursday from 6pm-8pm, between 11th June and 30th July, guests can sample these sensational Sicilian wines.

DINE WITH WINE FROM FAMILIES

Join fellow diners at Carluccio’s for a three-course dinner of Sicilian specialities, created by a dedicated team of chefs.

You’ll be welcomed with delicious antipasti and aperitivi, and each course will be paired with the ideal Settesoli or Planeta wines. A dedicated wine expert will share knowledge with you, from production stories to tasting notes (and perhaps a Sicilian family anecdote or two!).
You can also meet the winemakers from Planeta (at Carluccio’s Covent Garden) and Settesoli (at Carluccio’s Tunbridge Wells) on 29 June and 23 July. Buon appetito!

WIN A TRIP FOR FOUR TO SICILY

And finally, you could win a three-day trip to Sicily in time for their wine harvest. Spend the morning in Settesoli’s oldest vineyard before settling down to lunch there, enjoy a day in Palermo, Sicily’s capital, and join with local families for the harvest. Simply pick up a card from Carluccio’s to enter the prize draw.

Visit Carluccio's Website

Ferrari's Restaurant in Balham gets acquired

Balham’s popular Ferrari’s restaurant has been acquired by the Locale group and will be converted - over just four days and at a cost of £100,000 - into one of the company’s renowned modern Italian restaurants.

To be known as Locale Balham, the restaurant will become the sixth member of the owner-operated group, joining other eateries in Fulham, Waterloo (opposite County Hall), Blackheath, East Dulwich and Bromley, Kent.

“Ferrari’s Balham is a much-loved part of the community”, says Locale operations director Mark Evans. “We will continue to offer customers everything that they enjoy about Ferrari’s while introducing elements of the Locale menu and service values that have proved so successful in our other locations.”

Locale restaurants combine cutting-edge Italian cuisine with a warm, relaxing atmosphere, efficient yet unintrusive service and - that one vital ingredient today - value for money. Locale Balham will seat 100 diners, with further space for 30 at the bar and 50 on the outside terrace.

The restaurant will close for the refurbishment from Monday 18 May and re-open on Friday 22 May 2009. The refurbishment will be masterminded by award-winning interior designer Brigitte D’Angelo whose previous credits include ‘Apartment 195’ in Chelsea and ‘Venue’ magazine’s Bar Of The Year 2008, ‘Start The Bus’ in Bristol. The restaurant’s stylish new bar will offer a range of specially-created cocktails and a full selection of beers, spirits and carefully-selected wines from Italy.

Locale Balham’s general manager, Enzo Begu, moves over from Locale County Hall and the food operation will be under the day-to-day supervision of the group’s colourful executive chef, Gianpaolo Barone. “As a local resident myself”, says Mark Evans, “I will constantly be on hand to ensure that Locale Balham fully lives up to customer expectations.”

“We are looking forward to playing a positive role in the local community”, Evans continues. “We will be attempting to buy as much produce as possible from local suppliers, and will be introducing initiatives to benefit good causes within the borough, and beyond.”

Franco's Restaurant, Jermyn St, London

Opened in 1946 Franco’s has been serving the local community for over 60 years.  A popular Italian restaurant in the heart of St. James’s which offers guests a tranquil oasis away from the buzz of the city.  Its character evolves throughout the day from the early morning breakfast, to the charged lunches and romantic candle lit dinners in the evening.

The menu has been expertly developed by our Head Chef Paulo Parlanti and combines both traditional and modern dishes.  Only the very best seasonal ingredients are often flown in from Italy to ensure that the food is not only authentic but wonderfully flavoursome.   Our staff pride themselves on providing an exceptional standard of service, which is attentive yet unobtrusive.

Franco's
61 Jermyn Street
London
SW1Y 6LX
Book online here