Set inside a Georgian townhouse on Walton Street in Chelsea, Scalini is a beloved restaurant with old school Italian charm, and has been serving up authentic cuisine to locals and tourists alike since 1988. Over the years, it has built a loyal following for its generous cooking and familiar hospitality.
The restaurant’s story goes back even further. Founders Mario Paggetti and Valerio Calzolari first met at La Trattoria Terrazza in Soho in 1959, before Paggetti went on to open restaurants including Sale e Pepe, Sambuca and Signor Sassi. Scalini followed in November 1988, with founding Head Chef Luigi Ferraro shaping the kitchen for more than 30 years. His approach was rooted in simple, honest Tuscan cooking, using good Italian and local ingredients without unnecessary fuss. It's a philosophy Executive Chef Paulino Alves continues today.
The menu is plentiful and extensive, spanning even more courses than a typical Italian set up. The menu is divided into soup, risotto, pasta and primi piatti sections, with diners able to enjoy dishes such as linguine alle vongole, made with clams, tomato and garlic, or gnocchi della nonna with a choice of sauces including arrabbiata, Gorgonzola, pesto or Sorrentina. Spaghetti Gennaro brings courgette, radicchio and a spicy tomato sauce. Seafood options range from Dover sole with lemon butter to cod with cherry tomatoes, olives, capers, lemon and garlic, while the whole lobster Thermidor is a richer choice for a more celebratory meal.
From the meat section, there is grilled baby chicken, rack of lamb with demi-glace and garlic, calves’ liver with butter and sage, and veal Milanese - the restaurant's signature dish. You might also feel tempted by the sliced calves’ liver with onions, beef medallions with mushroom and red wine sauce, or grilled ribeye. For dolci, options like homemade chocolate mousse and marinated orange slices with cinnamon sound divine.