Artigiano

The Artigiano restaurant is a spectacularly stylish eatery that boasts a lovely location in Belsize Village; a fume-free haven in the heart of London. Dazzlingly illuminated on the outside by an alternating rainbow of lights, this unmissable restaurant is equally beguilling inside, delivering a magnificently stylish and opulent décor that was envisioned by designer Tony Thomas, using large glass canopies that flood the room with light during the day, and Colorflow lighting that comes alive in the evening.

Such a warm interior and intoxicating ambience would count for nothing if the service was sub-standard and the food was poor. Just as well, then, that Artigiano prides itself on delivering the finest gastronomy and hospitality imaginable. Headed by Corrado and Luigi, the exceptional kitchen staff work dilligently and creatively to ensure the restaurant's menu is always cutting edge and unfailingly delicious.

The Italian dishes served at Artigiano are nigh-on faultless and revered throughout London. Particular favourites that you should not miss include the spaghetti all carbonara di mare, the spaghetti alla chitarra with fennel and Scottish langoustine, and the Gressingham duck breast with braised trevisana and caramelised pear. Tempting desserts bookend each meal; all freshly prepared with fine seasonal produce and washed down with fair trade coffees and spirits, and rare Italian mountain cheeses.

The well-annotated wine list at the Artigiano restaurant ensures guests are fully informed as to what is on offer. But rest assured, no bottle makes it into the cavernous cellar without being of an extremely high quality in the first place. Open for lunch and dinner, this decadent and welcoming establishment is reasonably priced, well located and is beginning to gather a dedicated following of diners who know a good thing when they see it, so why not give it a try?