Harry's Dolce Vita

Long-time Harrods shoppers will know this site as the location for many a restorative Café Rouge steak baguette; now it’s been taken over by Caprice Holdings in a further sign of the group’s ambition of dominating mid-market dining in the UK’s poshest postcodes. Like Daphne’s, Harry’s is Italian, although with its clubby wood-panelled vibe it looks more like the group’s 34, and in truth the menu is very little different to the Ivy Cafes apart from a greater showing of pizza and pasta (margherita, bolognese). And like the Ivy Cafes, the food is decently done, if lacking the sure touch of Caprice’s premier-league venues. Thus squid comes encased in a crisp and crunchy batter and accompanied by an aioli that was beginning to separate, while chicken Milanese needed a side order of macaroni cheese to make it interesting. Prices, at least, are reasonable for Knightsbridge, but the biggest drawback is the narrow, railway-carriage dimensions, with tables for two that barely seat one. Not somewhere to linger, then, but more than fit for purpose for the location – and the handsome bar is one of the few places to get a well-made cocktail round here that isn’t a five-star hotel.

Harry's Dolce Vita is found in the heart of Knightbridge, just around the corner from the very well known department store, Harrods. Here, you'll find great Italian cuisine, in what the restaurant calls 'the way it should be'. Food at this restaurant is cooked with care, passion and with the very best ingredients that are available. Here, you can enjoy all day dining whilst being surrounded by beautiful decor, and always find seasonal specials on the menu. Inside Harry's, you'll feel like you've been transported back to the 1950s and 60s in Italy, with beautifully bright fabrics, deep green accents and colourful Murano glass, you really do live la dolce vita for the time of your visit. With more Italian twists, you’ll be served grappa from a trolley, greeted with friendly smiles, and presented with a menu that is packed with Harry’s takes on Italian favourites.

The executive chef has created a menu full of Italian classics bursting with flavour. A la carte begins with cicchetti, like the fried truffle arancini balls, tuna pizzetta with raw tuna, truffle citrus dressing and basil on a crispy base, and the crispy fried artichoke hearts with chilli, parsley and parmesan. The antipasti dishes are as delicious as you'd expect them to be. The zuppa di cipolle is a creamy onion soup served with burrata tortellini, focaccia crouton and baby basil, whilst the thinly sliced raw yellowfin tuna with picked white crab meat, citrus, black truffle, pistachio and lemon ponzu dressing is a refreshing dish perhaps best enjoyed at lunch. Whatever time of day you’re visiting Harry’s, you won’t want to miss enjoying desserts. Try the Italian take on a mille feuille – with crispy puff pastry layered with pistachio ice cream, chocolate mousse, caramelised hazelnut crunch, salted caramel, chantilly cream and hot chocolate sauce.