So long, rich stews! Begone, unctuous pies! We’re ready to taste the bright freshness that comes with new summer menus. And what better place to reawaken those hibernating taste buds than with a trip to Sloane Street? Food writer, cook and broadcaster Alexandra Dudley rounds up the best seasonal dishes to sample in the neighbourhood.
Fritto misto at Azzurra
Azzurra makes its fritto misto the proper Italian way: lightly coated in semolina flour and deep fried until crisp and golden, with no heavy batter involved. So, if you can’t get to Italy this summer, allow the Amalfi Coast to come to you by way of a perfectly cooked medley consisting of a daily catch of British prawns, red mullet, gianchetti, and squid, along with new-season courgettes, all piled high and accompanied by a silky roasted garlic mayo.
Azzurra, 127-128 Sloane Street SW1X 9AS; book here
The seafood pizza at La Maison Ani
Seafood may seem like an unlikely topping, but this pizza is already proving to be a favourite at La Maison Ani, where the house-made dough is topped first with classic tomato sauce and Italian mozzarella, then mussels, squid and prawns, finished with fresh chilli, parsley and a lick of garlic oil, giving it an almost umami richness that is incredibly moreish. Chef Izu Ani heads up Sloane Street’s latest culinary opening, serving dishes that combine a love of French cooking with his time spent in the Middle East.
La Maison Ani, The Carlton Tower Jumeirah, 1 Cadogan Place SW1X 9PY; book here
Vitello tonnato at Cantinetta Antinori
A true classic that’s delicate, flavourful and perfect with a cool glass of crisp white, the vitello tonnato Cantinetta Antinori is made to the very same recipe that was used when the restaurant first opened its doors in Florence back in 1957. The delicate flavour of veal, cooked to exacting methods, offers the perfect flavour counterpoint to the sharpness of capers and the tang of the classic tuna-based tonnato sauce – piped in a lattice with signature flair.
Cantinetta Antinori, 4 Harriet Street SW1X 9JR; book here
Lobster tempura cha soba noodles at The Fuji Grill
Sweet-salty, gloriously crunchy and surprisingly light, The Fuji Grill’s lobster tempura cha soba noodles brings together moreish noodles – sourced from Japan – with seasonal vegetables in a richly tart yuzu pepper sauce. Topped with Canadian lobster that’s been fried to featherlight, crunchy perfection, it’s an addictive addition to an expertly crafted menu.
The Fuji Grill, Beaverbrook Town House, 115-116 Sloane Street SW1X 9PJ; book here
Salad niçoise at Colbert
For the best niçoise salad this side of the Channel, pull up a banquette at Colbert, where even the most gallic of Parisians will agree that if they close their eyes, they could be dining within the sound of the bells of La Notre Dame. The green beans? Blanched but still un peu crispy. The lettuce, sweet and crisp; the tomatoes, not too many; the olives and anchovies, not overpowering; the boiled eggs, still slightly jammy; and the vinaigrette, perfectly balanced acidity.
Colbert, 50-52 Sloane Square SW1W 8AX; book here
Ibérico pork rice at The Campaner
Starring signature Spanish favourites designed to be shared at the table, The Campaner‘s mouth-watering new seasonal menu brings the flavours of balmy Barcelona to Chelsea Barracks. Our pick is the Ibérico pork rice – because nothing says ‘summer holiday’ more than paella. Dotted with succulent meat, padrón peppers and perfectly baked for that irresistibly crispy bottom, it’s the sort of dish that instantly transports you to sunnier climes. Pass us a sangria.
The Campaner, Chelsea Barracks, 1 Garrison Square SW1W 8BG; book here
