Sale e Pepe
This Knightsbridge hotspot has had a seat at London’s culinary table since 1974, when the doors first opened to hoards of hungry shoppers sweeping through the luxury shopping district. Just a stone’s throw from Harrods, Harvey Nichols and rows of designer showrooms, this is the perfect post-shop spot for dinner and drinks.
But don’t be fooled by the high street madness. While sporting an impressively buzzy postcode, Sale e Pepe does its best to create an atmosphere rooted in intimate dining and authentic flavours. With guests greeted by bronze lighting, a marble-topped bar, wood-panelled walls and eclectic artworks, it really feels like you’ve stepped out of London and into a chic Italian villa.
The menu itself is built on traditional Italian flavours. Pastas and risottos are all made fresh, and come in classic dishes like bolognese, ravioli and tortelloni. The finest cuts and catches are used for the carne and pesce sections, whose highlights include grilled dover sole, grilled rib eye and wild king prawns. Those who plan to share their dinner, meanwhile, can tuck into a salt baked whole sea bass.
And if you fancy your dinner with a little show, order the Tiramisù della Casa, which is scooped tableside, straight from the dish. By Charlie Colville
Allergen note: Sale e Pepe can make a wide selection of their dishes gluten free, with pasta prepared and cooked in a separate area.
TRY: The Bucatini Cacio e Pepe. This pasta dish strikes the perfect balance of soft and sharp flavours, with a creamy cheese sauce cut with just enough kick from the pepper – mixed with perfectly cooked strings of bucatini pasta. This is a real classic, done right.
WHERE: 9-15 Pavilion Road, London SW1X 0HD