Refettorio

Hotel restaurants can be soulless places, and in the evening Refettorio is sometimes quiet. But at lunchtime theres a buzz around the vast booth tables (practically the size of football pitches). With Giorgio Locatelli as the consultant, this place gives good, strong cucina.The menu offers all the conventional dishes such as bresaola with rocket and parmesan, but theres always a twist or a challenge as with a starter of ox tongue with honey potato bread, served with a salad and marinated button onions. Nine pasta and risotto dishes are similarly classic concoctions, but even something as simple as mixed seafood pasta was pleasantly light and sticky. And when mains include john dory with shredded cucumber, martini and vanilla sauce, you know the subtly cooked pork with basil and peppers wont be as plain as it sounds. The specialist cheese selections merit exploration, although the elegantly presented desserts are hard to resist. With cheerfully professional service and a sommelier to provide an exegesis of the intercontinental wine list, Refettorio is a safe bet for City brokers if not lesser mortals in search of intimacy.

Services

Available for hire: Separate room for parties, seats 30
Child facilities: Babies and children admitted

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