No. 5

Previously the home of the Spanish embassy, No. 5 retains an exclusive & opulent atmosphere befitting any ambassador’s ball. The grand building has been transformed into a playground for bon vivants, with a members’ nightclub in the basement, ground-floor cocktail bar & VIP bar for private parties. Up a sweeping staircase, the restaurant is decked out with red velvet sofas, chandeliers & a grand piano, while the mainly Italian menu features classics such as beef carpaccio with rocket, parmesan, pine nuts & black truffle, or the more modish likes of roasted black cod with scallops, chiodini mushrooms, asparagus & spring onion sauce. Given the lustre of the surroundings, main-course prices of over £20 are perhaps to be expected, but there’s a set menu at £15/£20 for two/three courses. France & Italy provide the focus of a reasonably tight wine list, starting from £24 at house level. For drinks & light bites head for the rooftop terrace, something of louche local treat.