Restaurant review: La Famiglia, Chelsea’s best-kept secret
Picking a standout Italian restaurant in South Kensington isn’t easy. London, after all, is absolutely teeming with great places to eat, and this buzzing part of the city is no different. Whether you’re after traditional wood-fired pizzas or some of the best beef pasta in London, South Ken has you covered.
One place, though, deserves a special mention. A gentleman’s favourite since the early 80s and run by one of the greatest Italian restaurateurs in London, we explain the success – and the gift for the taste buds – that is the La Famiglia restaurant.
Where is La Familia located?
La Famiglia is a bit of Tuscany in the heart of West London. Tucked down a side street off the Kings Road sits the iconic blue-and-white façade of this beautiful Italian restaurant. Visitors are always assured of a warm welcome, whether it be from owner Alvaro Maccioni, his daughter Marietta or one of the brilliant front-of-house team.
What’s the restaurant like?
Alvaro, his family and his team live by a mantra that ‘every person who walks through the door is special’. This is something that separates the good from the great – in both restaurants and human beings.
Alvaro himself is a bit of a celebrity, having run successful restaurants and clubs for a large part of his life. Over the years, La Famiglia has played host to many famous faces: Sir Michael Caine, Peter Sellers, Bridget Bardot, Simon Cowell, Kylie Minogue and Ronnie Wood, to name a few
Inside the restaurant, the walls and floors are covered with their signature blue and white tiles, giving it a real Tuscan atmosphere. In the summer, they have a great outdoor seating area, which on a hot day, with the food in front of you, feels like you’re actually in Tuscany itself.
How’s the food?
The food, to put it simply, is amazing. Those who think they’ve tried Italian food in London must go there and see what it should taste like. The chef, Quinto Cecchetti, has been there since the beginning and has helped create an astounding menu.
For starters, you must try the beef carpaccio with the chef’s special sauce, or the warm octopus and squid salad tossed in extra-virgin olive oil and lemon juice. It’s these simple flavours that make the food at La Famiglia so good.
For the main courses, we recommend the scallops wrapped with pancetta and balsamic vinegar, or the sautéed chicken breast with balsamic vinegar and olive oil and a rucola salad. Another great dish is the ‘Manzo Marietta’, thinly sliced beef cooked lightly with garlic and extra-virgin olive oil. We were told that Italian women traditionally used to cut thin slices to make the meat go further, so if you wanted to add some history to what you’re eating, there you go.
An excellent side dish to order is the fried zucchini, which is another must-try. For dessert, there’s a great selection of cakes (we highly recommend the cheesecake), all made in-house.
Final thoughts?
As a restaurant, La Famiglia in Chelsea is simply superb, and a real experience. In terms of prices, it’s what many would call expensive, but once you’ve tasted their food, you’ll probably be more than happy to pay the bill. So, if you’re ever in that part of town, or just really fancy a memorable meal, we strongly suggest you give La Famiglia a try.
Planning to eat out somewhere nice? Read our tips for dining like a true gentleman.
Become a Gentleman’s Journal Member?
Like the Gentleman’s Journal? Why not join the Clubhouse, a special kind of private club where members receive offers and experiences from hand-picked, premium brands. You will also receive invites to exclusive events, the quarterly print magazine delivered directly to your door and your own membership card.
