Refettorio at the Crowne Plaza Hotel

Foodies sometimes sneer at hotel restaurants overseen by celebrity chefs, however that hasn’t stopped Giorgio Locatelli’s handsome Refettorio from becoming a lunchtime rallying point for the City’s dealmakers. Inside, massive refectory-style tables blend with dark wood panelling, Venetian blinds & muted amber lighting to create a suitably fashionable, functional feel. Flashy, artisan antipasti pitched at those with weighty wallets might include stuffed baby squid with sun-blushed tomatoes or scallops paired with leek & chickpea purée & sweet-&-sour sauce, while meat-centric secondi are a little more straightforward – think pan-fried guinea fowl with savoy cabbage & pancetta or calf’s liver partnered by braised lentils & stewed red onions. A useful selection of Italian cheese & charcuterie platters are tailor-made for those who’d sooner graze in groups.