Christmas is all about coming together over good food and wine, and really, who does that better than the Italians? For your Christmas gathering, why not head to Scalini in Chelsea, a beloved Italian restaurant brimming with warmth, character and fantastic food. Scalini has been part of the neighbourhood since 1988, taking over a gorgeous Georgian townhouse on Walton Street, and now with more than 35 years of traditional Italian cooking and hospitality behind it.
If you're interested in hosting your festive gathering here, smaller celebrations of up to 10 can dine in the main restaurant and soak up the usual Scalini atmosphere. Larger groups can head upstairs, where the first-floor private dining room and bar can be reserved exclusively for up to 26 seated guests. That gives Christmas parties the best of both worlds: the conviviality of a busy neighbourhood restaurant downstairs, with the option of complete privacy for a bigger family gathering, office dinner or festive get-together with friends.
As for the food, Scalini’s menu is extensive, with sections that span antipasti, risotto, pasta, fish, meat, sides and desserts, so there is plenty for mixed groups to choose from. Smaller dishes include langoustine with butter and garlic, alongside courgette flowers stuffed with mozzarella and tomato sauce. If you're a risotto fan, you'll love the fresh asparagus version, while the pasta list includes linguine capesante e gamberetti, with scallops, prawns and fresh tomato, as well as fettuccine al ragu bianco tartufo, with fettuccine, veal ragu and fresh black truffle.
For something more celebratory, seafood dishes include Dover sole with lemon butter, Mediterranean-style cod with cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, lemon and garlic, and whole lobster Thermidor with a creamy mustard and mushroom sauce. Meat dishes range from grilled baby chicken and rack of lamb with demi-glace and garlic to calves’ liver with butter and sage or veal Milanese.