San Carlo St James's

Following its recent takeover of the rooftop space at Selfridges, International Italian restaurant group San Carlo has also opened this Regent Street site. The interiors are as glam as you’d expect from the brand, incorporating a marble-topped bar, soft grey banquette seating and a gorgeous outdoor terrace whimsically decorated with real flowers. Staff are equally smart, gussied up in white jackets and oozing Italian charm – although we wish they’d been more attentive.

Superstar Italian chef Alberico Penati heads the kitchen and has designed an extensive seasonal menu. From the antipasti, we were most impressed by the burrata: a creamy dome of mozzarella served alongside slithers of smooth avocado and herby pesto. Supremely sweet and fresh Dorset crab is another enticement, as is the bread basket, filled with focaccia and accompanied by a moreish avocado dip.

From a handful of primi options, including a hearty plateful of paccheri with king prawns, the standout was the spinach and ricotta ravioli: tender, buttery parcels generously filled with ricotta and spinach. Mains range from the light – such as grilled tuna served with roasted Sicilian aubergine – to the robust (if you’re hungry, try the hefty veal Milanese that piles on the carbs with plenty of sautéed potatoes). Round off a meal with classic Italian desserts: the wickedly rich tiramisu, for instance, or a selection of soft, sticky gelato served in retro sundae glasses.

A meal at San Carlo St James’s won’t come cheap, but anyone seeking old-school Italian glamour is in for a treat.

A stone’s throw away from The National Gallery and Piccadilly Circus Underground Station is San Carlo St James’. Situated on Regent Street is this Italian restaurant, combining a range of high quality ingredients with a sophisticated setting to delight diners between 12 and 11.30pm all week long.

In its prime location, San Carlo St James’ is the perfect spot for an evening of dinner and drinks pre or post-theatre in London’s West End, or a great place to unwind after a busy day of shopping on Oxford Street just around the corner.

Inside, San Carlo is stylish and contemporary in its design, with a neutral colour palette, round tables perfect for meetings, and laid back booths to relax. The bar has a backdrop of an impressive Italian wine list, with seats available barside where you can enjoy a refreshing glass of champagne. If you’re visiting San Carlo on a sunny day, ask for a table on the terrace and enjoy alfresco dining against the backdrop of Regent Street.

Antipasti kicks off with bruschetta al pomodoro and fresh mussels and clams. Pasta dishes include the classics like spaghetti pomodoro e basilico, penne arrabbiata and tagliatelle bolognese, and branches out with less common dishes like black ravioli and spaghetti aragosta, which is the famous spaghetti lobster from San Carlo's sister restaurant Signor Sassi. Plenty of meat and fish dishes are on the main menu, including steak specialities, veal, chicken and lamb, as well as salmon, monkfish, turbot and lobster. Plenty of sides will accompany your main, before the extensive dolci menu is handed to you. Formaggi Italiani, baked Alaska, and warm Italian mini doughnuts - bombolini are some of the hits that customers love to finish off their San Carlo experience.