Restaurants

The reason for Alloro’s popularity and wide appeal lies on the plate: it remains one of London’s prime venues for high-end Italian cooking, confidently sparked with contemporary influences from France and even modern British touches. Echt-Italian featured in starters of taglierini with tender calamari and sweet chilli, and two ravioli dishes, one with ricotta and Swiss chard and the other with shreds of juicy rabbit. More far-ranging influences came in heavenly fillet steak served on a towering disc of crushed potatoes, and in the perfectly balanced jus that formed the basis of poached guinea fowl with roast potatoes. There was a slight letdown in the somewhat bland, dry confit leg of rabbit, though its border-crossing accompaniment of crushed peas with mint was a revelation. Those responsible for the wine list know their business exceptionally well. While £40 is the point at which the fun really starts, you can find a handful of good things between £30 and £35. Service was near faultless. Despite the minor flaws in our meal, Alloro’s outstanding dishes are utterly winning.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009