Top Table: Il Gattopardo

The restaurant is instantly inviting: all dark wood panelling, navy velvet seating and soft lighting. Il Gattopardo translates as ‘the leopard’ and there are subtle homages peppered throughout from a splash of animal print fabric to carefully placed ceramics.  The Crudo Bar is the perfect spot for a signature expertly- mixed barrel-aged Negroni, while the Terrazza — complete with trellised walls replete with climbing vines, and a retractable roof — makes the perfect spot to enjoy a leisurely lunch during this Spring heatwave.

The menu is expertly executed by Massimo Pasquarelli, a native of the Abbruzzo region. Before Il Gattopardo, he cut his teeth with a decade-long stint with Alain Ducasse, and most recently held the role of Executive Chef of the Ritz Carlton Singapore. Diners can expect authentic Italian classics and fresh interpretations of dishes from across the Italian Riviera. New for 2025 is the weekend lunch menu, Il Pranzo, a decadent affair to be savoured across a few hours on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. It’s quite frankly refreshing to not be ushered out after a mandatory two hour slot, like so many restaurants seem to do these days. 

No languid lunch is complete without an Aperitivo to kickstart proceedings. Standout cocktails include, I Tre Volti: a fragrant take on the classic Bellini with Italian sparkling wine and a zesty infusion of mandarin juice. Red Desert is equally quaffable — a twist on a classic Aperol Spritz with the addition of punchy orange granita served in a glass almost as big as your head. Wine lovers will delight in the 450-bottle strong wine list with the in-house sommelier ready to cater a complimentary glass or bottle to your chosen dish.

The Il Pranzo menu is designed to be enjoyed with friends and family, commencing with a selection of antipasti for the table. Our affable waiter says, we don’t have to finish the feast before our eyes but we make light work of the delectable dishes. The freshest tuna tartare is paired with green tomatoes and a sprinkling of spring onions, arancini are generously stuffed with bolognese sauce and scamorza cheese paired with a smooth roasted tomato dip accompaniment. The Cavolo Riccio is an ultra fresh salad brimming with kale, creamy ricotta, crunch from pine nuts and pomegranate seeds and zingy caper berries. The cloud-like pizzetta comes laden with parma ham, mozzarella and rocket leaves, and is impossible to put down. 

Next up is the main course where the decision making is back in our hands. Guests can pick from a tempting selection of much-loved dishes, from classic aubergine parmigiana, to sea bass served with a mediterranean medley of olives, tomatoes and capers, or sirloin beef with parmesan mashed potatoes. Continuing the sharing theme, my guest and I opted for the spinach and ricotta cannelloni, which comes ceremoniously served at the table. Delightfully topped with ample stringy mozzarella it is decadent yet light, saving room for the all important dessert…. 

It would have been rude not to conclude our meal with the restaurant’s famous tiramisu, which comes adorned with the restaurant’s logo atop the cocoa powder dusting. Featherlight yet indulgent, it concluded the meal on a high note….

Il Gattopardo undoubtedly brings a touch of la dolce vita to Mayfair. Unapologetic Italian cuisine in a sexy yet informal setting, the latest menu is yet another reason to add Il Gattopardo to your must-visit list. 

https://gattopardo.restaurant/

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