Quirinale

This highly rated Westminster Italian lists political movers & shakers among its devoted regulars. They nip across the road from HQ to dine in the nicely lit basement dining room, which is elegantly decorated with crisp white cloths & cream leather banquettes. Perhaps it’s the reassurance of well-spaced tables (‘eavesdropping isn’t a major issue’) that makes Quirinale such a favourite with MPs & correspondents, but more likely it’s the accomplished cooking. The seasonal menu allows top-notch ingredients – many imported directly from Italy – to speak for themselves in capably executed dishes such as antipasti of octopus, celery & apple salad, followed by Barolo-braised beef cheek with polenta chips. To finish, freshen up with citrus fruit salad & Campari sorbet, or look at the impressive selection of Italian farmhouse cheeses. Some find the wine list expensive, but a trip here is deemed ‘as safe as houses’.