London is hardly short of Italian restaurants, but Ristorante Granaio has a few aces up its sleeve - namely its plum location in the heart of Piccadilly, an arrestingly pretty dining room and the fact that it’s menu is inspired by the techniques and tricks of traditional Italian nonnas.
Step inside Ristorante Granaio and you will find a large, imposing dining room featuring high ceilings, gorgeous arches and original stone fireplaces. Despite its grand proportions, the space still manages to feel cosy, thanks to soft lighting and an array of foliage that hangs from the ceiling. It is also hard to miss the shelves stacked with bottles of exclusively Italian wines which you can try by the glass, while French Champagnes are also available if you are in the mood to celebrate.
Ristorante Granaio’s food menu is full of classic Italian dishes, ranging from pastas and pizzas, to dishes cooked on the grill. To kickstart your meal, choose between the likes of starters such as burrata topped with cherry tomatoes, or 18-month aged Parma ham that arrives at the table accompanied by bruschetta crowned with tomato and basil.
More substantial dishes to choose from include a selection of traditional pastas, such as spaghetti al pomro or maccheroni pasta with white sauce, smoked ham and mushrooms. There is oven-baked lasagne too, as well as risotto with a black truffle butter. If you prefer pizza over pasta, there is plenty of choice at Ristorante Granaio, with varieties ranging from the classic Margherita to the Piccadilly topped with sausage and smoked cheese.
Dishes from the grill see the likes of pork ribs slicked with barbecue sauce and served alongside spiced potatoes, while there are a few vegetarian options too - a caprese salad perhaps, or penne pasta with green beans and potatoes.
Puddings are not as traditionally Italian as you might expect, but are still tempting; opt for bread dipped in Nutella or a slice of homemade cake served with gelato and cream.