Locanda Ottoemezzo

The owners of Locanda Ottoemezzo Italian restaurant in London’s Kensington, just a few moments’ walk from the High Street, are film aficionados extraordinaire. In particular, their admiration of Federico Fellini’s masterpiece 8 ½ has inspired them to name their delight restaurant after it and to decorate the interior with 8 1/2 – themed details. The general vibe of this charming and accomplished neighbourhood restaurant is vibrant and warm and full of colour with collectors’ details like rare LPs, books, instruments and a precious 1963 poster of the film. Yet there’s nothing gimmicky about Locanda Ottoemezzo. Food, service, quality and style are the focus here and you can always expect a delightful dining experience. The perfect house risotto is always on the menu here served with a theatrical flourish from a rind of parmesan. Locanda Ottoemezzo’s fillet of beef in salt crust with aromatic thyme, rosemary and red wine served with wild mushrooms is a favourite, too.