Carbone London

Carbone London is how I imagine it must feel to step into a time machine taking you back to 1920s New York; the authenticity of the aesthetic is breathtaking. The bar immediately sets the tone, evoking a Ralph Lauren–inspired American bar. It’s the kind of space that makes you want to linger over a cocktail before dinner, and I could easily see myself spending a long evening here soaking in the atmosphere. I’ve always believed restaurants need to lean into what they are showcasing to truly pull off escapism, and Carbone has captured that in every essence. The captains at each table make it a different experience compared to other restaurants, as does the attire they don. Their showmanship creates table-side theatre, but it is the food that really steals the show.

The cocktail menu and wine list are easy to navigate, with a very generous selection. However, if you’re going for a cocktail, I would suggest matching the aesthetic with a Negroni.

As the complimentary bread basket is handed out, the fun begins. The commonly referred-to "grandma bread" is the showstopper; while it takes enormous willpower not to finish the whole basket, you will be very pleased to leave room for what is to follow. The courses generally come in three phases: the appetisers, the pastas, and then the meats. Of course, you are encouraged to share and enjoy something from each phase. The Caesar salad, prepared tableside by your captain, appears during the appetisers phase, and it must be said this is probably the best Caesar around. The croutons in particular strike the perfect balance of crisp and delicate (yes, I know what you’re thinking — this place really knows how to bake bread).

The aubergine carpaccio with shaved truffle was especially memorable, as was the calamari, which must have been the best I’ve had in a long while. As the pastas came out, it was easy to see we had let our eyes do the ordering: the black ink lobster ravioli and vodka pasta were filling but not as inspiring as what followed. For the final installment of mains, we enjoyed the veal chop, meatballs, and branzino, all fantastic, and portion sizes were generous. It must now be said that the absolute must-order for anyone who attends are the garlic roast potatoes; my Sunday roasts would be world-famous if I could replicate this masterpiece.

For the final phase, you are greeted with a delightful trolley of different desserts, or you can opt for the theatrical flambé. One may wish to have a camera at hand, as they can only pull it off in style the one time.

It is extremely easy to see why Carbone is as in-demand as it is. A quick glance around the restaurant and you can see the hype is real, footballers, celebrities and business are all prepared to invest a couple of hours into this fine establishment. While reservations are a little easier to come by than in the past, there is no doubt this remains one of the hottest places in town.

For all reservations, please contact our team.