Carlotta

Big Mamma Group - the group behind Circolo Popolare and Jacuzzi - have recently opened their latest outpost, Carlotta. Paying tribute to the Italians who packed up their bags, recipes and heritage and took them across the pond to create a wealth of new Italian cultures, Carlotta is an elegant homage to Italian tradition, whether that be a trattoria in Palermo, Sicily or a family run ristorante in Oakland, New Jersey.

Situated in the heart of welcoming Marylebone Village, the cosy restaurant - and like the other locations in the group - features stunning interiors with the walls adorned with the team's very own family wedding pictures.

With the in-house interiors design team, Studio Kiki bringing the glitz and glam, Carlotta boasts a gilded bar and an elegant dining room with sumptuous leather banquets, swirling pink and turquoise carpet, gold mirrors and opulent curtained walls. At the back of the dining room is the winners table, a hidden booth for eight complete with rose quartz wall chandeliers, that's perfect to while away an evening feasting on steaks and fine wine. For a party, head downstairs to the seductive midnight blue suede lounge with its 80s mirror striped curved ceiling and full view of the open kitchen.

A full family affair, the menu features recipes from Head Chef Armando’s nonna with fresh authentic produce from Italy and the best of British. From razor clams caught on the beaches of Scotland, breaded and baked in garlicky butter, to high-welfare rose veal from female-run Alternative Meats in Cheshire, there's plenty to choose from.

Highlights include capocollo del cacciatore from Cesare and giacomo de stefani in veneto sliced at the kitchen bar; deep-fried Italian artichokes, served with a lemony garlicky dip; and 250g Apulian burrata dressed in fine Sicilian olive oil.

Different to the other locations in the group, for the first time there is no pizza on the menu, so the team can focus solely on beautifully crafted home-made pastas. From Paccheri and Spaghetti to Tortelloni and Fettuccine, sauces have been inspired by Italo American greats. Must tries include Pasta Alla Vodka con I Frutti Di Mare - homemade penne in a creamy tomato and vodka sauce, served with fresh Cornish crab, clams and tarragon oil; and the spectacular Fettuccine Alfredo al Tartufo per 2 - 40cm long pasta ribbons in truffle butter, parmigiano and topped with even more fresh truffle.

Straight from the basque grill, Cornish T-Bone Fiorentina is perfect for sharing, served with grilled courgettes and peppers; while the Lamb Chops Milanese have been stuffed with mozzarella flor di latte and wrapped in pancetta before being breaded and fried.

Paying homage to the UK's love of Strawberries and Cream, Berries & Cream is a fresh concoction of raspberries and strawberries in a spiced sauce served with lashings of vanilla whipped cream. Also great for warm evenings, Carlotta’s Wedding Cake served under a waterfall of vanilla cream and meringue. Chocoholics will delight in the Italian Chocolate Tart, filled with salted caramel, on a plate entirely made up of cream.

The backlit Rosso Levanto marble bar is birthplace to the many cocktails made at Carlotta. From the Rossini to the Cedroni, a chamomile infused negroni there's something for everyone. A welcome addition to the neighbourhood.