Those looking to escape the frenetic pace of the King’s Road need look no further than upmarket Italian restaurant Manicomio, a stalwart of Chelsea’s Duke of York Square. Its expansive, floral terrace is perfect for people-watching in all seasons and can definitely be counted among the best spots for alfresco dining in the capital.
Freshly-baked focaccia served promptly by smart staff set the standard for an evening of beautiful food and wine, starting with creamy burrata with prosciutto, peach and fennel, and zucchini flowers with stracchino cheese. From a choice of good-looking mains, our smoked aubergine, broccolini and cashew quinoa was a winner, perfectly complemented by a smoky Chardonnay.
As with the rest of the menu, desserts don’t come cheap, so choose wisely. Our dark chocolate mousse with salted caramel and milk ice cream was as decadent as it sounds, but the strawberry meringue was underwhelming. A patriotic wine list showcases bottles from all parts of Italy, including the islands, plus a small selection from elsewhere.