Look beyond Alloro’s restrained ‘many shades of beige’ interior and you’ll find traditional Italian food that frequently transcends the London norm. The prix-fixe menu is full of seasonal and regional delights.
A starter of creamy fresh burrata cheese was enlivened by shavings of salty bottarga (cured mullet roe: a Sardinian speciality), and balanced with earthier grilled slices of fennel.
Freshly prepared pastas are a must here: delicate and perfectly cooked, they range from the deep and satisfying (taglierini with pigs’ cheeks, asparagus and egg) to the light and almost sweet (ravioli with ricotta and spinach, surrounded by a smooth walnut sauce).
Main courses can be, by contrast, slightly heavy. If there’s a whiff of the corporate in the discreet dining room, blame the high proportion of business customers, and the fact that Alloro is owned by London Fine Dining Group, which has a collection of other somewhat sterile but similarly user-friendly restaurants, including Zafferano.
Prices reflect the area, and aren’t cheap, but the quality of the food, preparation and presentation make this a worthwhile splurge. Serving staff who show genuine warmth add to the attraction.
- Address:
19-20 Dover Street
Mayfair
London
W1S 4LU
- Phone:
020 7495 4768
- Website:
- Opening hours:
Bar Open noon-10pm Mon-Fri; 7pm-midnight Sat. Restaurant Lunch served noon-2.30pm Mon-Fri. Dinner served 7-10.30pm Mon-Sat
- Transport:
Tube: Green Park tube
- Price:
Main courses £12-£35. Set lunch £29.50 2 courses, £35 3 courses. Set dinner £34 2 courses, £39 3 courses, £43 4 courses