IT London

The glitzy interiors at this Mayfair newcomer leave you under no illusion that you’re dining on the most expensive square of the Monopoly board. Polished gold charger plates adorn the table, while thick curtains, statement mirrors, gilded lamps, marble tables and comfortable scalloped back chairs in various vivid green velvets all add to the allure.

IT began life as an Ibizan fine-dining restaurant and come the weekend this London outpost pays homage to the White Isle with DJ sets. A much safer bet, we think, is to enjoy the Italian food of Michelin chef Gennaro Esposito on the relative calm of a midweek evening.

Esposito isn’t afraid to put unusual twists on his menu among the classics. A peppery whipped butter generously accompanied anchovies to cloak and cajole them down little fingers of toast, a combination which was wholly satisfying in its simplicity, while a pairing of creamy Caesar-like tuna sauce covered crisp salad and accompanied veal in the old school dish of vitello tonnato.

Purists need not despair, as the likes of pasta and parmigiana are both present and correct. The former we ordered covered in a silky egg-yolk-rich carbonara sauce, which was spiked with salty cured pancetta, but came the wrong side of al dente for us (more like crunchy).

Despite the displeasure with which diners usually receive desserts that have been deconstructed, IT London boldly presents a plate of crumbs and cream and white chocolate discs and labels it as profiteroles. The hint of choux pastry might be hidden under all manner of other techniques, but this is the kind of pudding you don’t want to end, with sweet cream giving way to chocolate richness through a series of textures.

Laidback service can prove slow at times but the staff seem well meaning, and there’s a helpful sommelier to guide guests through the tome of a wine list. It’s here you’ll be reminded again of the area you’re in, with most bottles reaching the three-figure mark or more. We saw not so much as a wince from punters paying such a premium though, who – we suspect – are here less for the food and more for the fun.

This Ibiza hotspot has made its way over to London, unsurprisingly settling in Mayfair (in a former art gallery) for its debut UK location. IT is a multi-faceted venue, offering a bar, restaurant and private-dining options, as well as doubling up as a gallery space for young emerging artists.

The kitchen at IT London is headed up by chef Gennaro Esposito, who oversees the two Michelin-starred La Torre del Saracino restaurant on the Neapolitan coast. He’s known for combining southern Italian flavours with fine-dining techniques, which means you can expect to tuck into dishes such as nocellara olive soup with almond fennel purée and scabbardfish, alongside spaghetti pomodoro which is made with IT’s own Vesuvio tomato sauce.

The dish that’s most likely to catch your attention though (and probably end up on your Instagram feed) is the assemblage of seafood which is served inside a giant glass ball, and features red prawns, raw seabass and tuna. Other than that, you can also tuck into thin-crust pizzas (a speciality of the IT Ibiza brand), while sweet treats on the pudding menu include a traditional Neapolitan rum baba.

Unsurprisingly for a restaurant that made its name on the party island of Ibiza, IT London also serves an Italian-inspired weekend brunch on Sundays. Served all day, the brunch features plenty of pasta and carbs to help revitalise you from the night before, while a thumping soundtrack provided by a roster of live DJs will keep the party going for those who aren’t quite ready for the weekend to end.

Live music isn’t only found at weekend brunch though, as IT London is home to a number of live music events and parties which take place throughout the year. For Mayfair hotshots looking for something a little more exclusive though, there’s always the private-dining room (complete with a dramatic glass ceiling) where you can host your own soirée.