Osteria Romana, Knightsbridge

The décor is kept simple in this small, softly lit space, with plain wooden flooring and furniture, earth-toned walls, and small copper lamps that shine inviting pools of light over each table. Each table is adorned with pots of vibrant green basil, and a wall-to-wall wine rack serves as a focal point at one end of the room. The effect is intimate, unpretentious, but still tastefully sleek – after all, this is Knightsbridge.

The stars of your antipasti should be four fat, handmade gnocchi. They're delightfully fluffy and topped with a decadent, moreish black truffle and pecorino sauce. Spaghetti carbonara, an iconic Roman dish, is flawless, with a silky, properly emulsified sauce. Tonnarelli with artichokes and red prawns combines juicy crustaceans with artichoke shards and a bisque-like sauce is a perfect dish for you to try. Pink, tender, and flavorful lamb chops are served with ultra-smooth mashed potatoes and crispy leeks. That is what distinguishes their menu.

Address: 3 Park Close, London SW1X 7PQ

Website: www.osteriaromana.co.uk