Daphne's, London
Daphne’s is a gorgeous little Italian located between Chelsea and South Kensington, surrounded by the smart Brompton Cross shops including J Crew, Joseph and Chanel. The restaurant, bar and conservatory have all been designed with Italy in mind. A marble-topped bar, Venetian mirrors and vintage 1950s chandeliers make for an incredibly glamorous setting.
It was originally opened in 1964 by theatre agent Daphne Rye, who discovered Richard Burton. It quickly became one of London's most fashionable haunts. It is now owned by Richard Caring, who owns The Ivy, and there is also a sister restaurant in St James, Barbados.
In the summer, Daphne’s comes to life. The doors to the front and the conservatory roof are opened for al fresco dining and an ice cream bike parks outside to serve customers Italian Gelato.
We visited mid-afternoon and were seated in the bar area. We chose Bellini’s which were made perfectly. Done correctly, a Bellini is a mixture of one third peach juice and two thirds prosecco. Bars quite often replace the peach with strawberry but Daphne’s know their drinks!
While we were enjoying our Bellini's we had a quick look over the menu. It consists of authentic, seasonal Italian country cooking. Carpaccio, cured meats, pasta dishes, risotto, lobster and summer truffles all feature as well as a classic dessert menu.
If you like Italian food and great cocktails, Daphne's is definitely worth a visit. Dress up, it’s not overly smart, but it’s very classy!