Strolling along the street to The Hari London on a Friday evening with the last of summer still lingering in the air created a real feeling of excitement. The Hari is nestled in the heart of Belgravia, and it stands proud on Chesham Place. You’re immediately pulled in by the allure of details like the Union Jack bench positioned outside, a quirky detail which is just one of many, which you soon come to learn as you wander into the divine hotel that is The Hari London.
This stylish London bolthole makes for an idyllic spot to spend a luxurious evening. Positioned just tiptoe away from iconic spots including Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park, the hotel is a haven of elegance and comfort, perfect for those looking to frolic in London’s atmosphere.
Before dinner, we headed to the delightful al fresco Garden Terrace – a sanctuary that felt like a hidden treasure in a concrete jungle.
Before dinner, we headed to the delightful al fresco Garden Terrace – a sanctuary that felt like a hidden treasure in a concrete jungle. Surrounded by blooms and skylight floating in from above, we enjoyed a gin courtesy of the No. 3 Gin pop-up. It’s an Instagrammable haven where you can recline, have a delicious drink (and grab an impressive pic for the feed too against a flower wall!) Next stop? Dinner. And what a treat it was.
The il Pampero restaurant transports you to a glamorous bygone era. It’s a charming space that comes to life through the eclectic artwork hanging inside, and it feels far removed from the hustle and bustle of London. It’s a sanctuary for the sophisticated traveller, located in the heart of Belgravia.
You’ll find an Italian glamour housed inside the restaurant, with some sensational dishes by the hand of the new head chef Matteo D’Elia.
You’ll find an Italian glamour housed inside the restaurant, with some sensational dishes by the hand of the new head chef Matteo D’Elia. There’s a lot of character inside, and tables feel intimately positioned in jutted out alcoves around the restaurant. A statement bar sits pride of place in the room, so you can watch the waiting staff rustle up moreish drinks. In our case, a house Negroni cocktail with a mix of hibiscus infused gin, named a Bull Dog, to start, as well as a Royal Affair, which consists of their signature Champagne with apple and cinnamon infused gin and Moscato.
I could’ve had 20! Cocktails are clearly a large part of the magic of il Pampero, with strong attention to detail going into them. In October, they celebrate the likes of Frieze to London Craft Week by introducing their art cocktails menu, including an “Up, up and away” inspired by Banksy’s Girl with a Balloon and The British Bulldog” inspired by Graham Sutherland’s portrait of Winston Churchill. It is, undoubtedly, a menu of unmissable tipples.
The restaurant isn’t one for a booming atmosphere like you might find nestled in the heart of Soho, but it’s more intimate and reserved, with a real focus on the fare and tipples.
The restaurant at The Hari London isn’t one for a booming atmosphere like you might find nestled in the heart of Soho, but it’s more intimate and reserved, with a real focus on the fare and tipples. Matteo has expertly mixed together his knowledge of both five-star hotels and neighbourhood restaurants to bring cleverly constructed takes on classic Italian dishes to plates – including the ravioli filled with carbonara sauce partnered with courgette and cured pork cheeks.
For our starters, we were tempted by everything, however, the foie gras and toasted brioche and the beef tartare came up trumps.
For our starters, we were tempted by everything, however, the foie gras and toasted brioche and the beef tartare came up trumps. Both dishes were a delight, especially a ballotine melting on the hot brioche. Gosh, I could’ve got back for more, but black cod was calling my name (not literally, don’t worry!) Black cod is one of my favourite dishes, and il Pampero pulled it out of the bag. The dish was complemented by star anise, carrots and pecan nuts and I added a side of chilli garlic broccoli just for the heck of it.
Service at The Hari London is faultless, with the waiting staff eager to offer suggestions and their expert knowledge regarding wine pairings. A crisp and dry white wine was suggested alongside our mains, and it held hands with my cod dish perfectly, making for a real treat of a dinner. Finish off your feast with a daring dessert, in the form of an avocado mousse with sweetcorn – yes, you heard right! Partner it with an espresso martini and you’ll leave feeling satisfied, full and ready to recline!
Licking your lips at the thought of il Pampero? I can hardly blame you!
Licking your lips at the thought of il Pampero? I can hardly blame you! Why not head down for their newly-launched weekend brunch which mixes the classic brunch dishes with a superb Italian wist. il Pampero’s bartender Giuseppe Abbracciante has put together some tantalising tipples to get the experience started, including a barrel-aged Negroni with Amaretto foam. Partner this with a Piedmont-inspired pizza with truffle sauce amongst many other dishes, and it’s set to be a very tasty brunch indeed.
Celebrity Restaurant Writer
