The most interesting aspect of the Tony Thomas designed Caravaggio restaurant is the real sense of time and space, with its ornate ceiling and Art Deco light fixtures, in what was once a bank. Italian renaissance is best known for renewed interest in the culture of interlocked civilizations and features many prominent names such as Caravaggio; fast forward to the present day and you have a restaurant in London as a tribute to the man himself.

A long marble topped bar at the entrance is a popular spot for single diners while the existing gallery at the mezzanine level has now been extended to provide a second tier of tables. From the large windows and lamps to the warm yellow tones, everything feels both new and old at the same time. This may probably be the reason why it?s a firm favourite among the list of who's who in England.

The smartly attired front of house team, under the able supervision of their manager Andrés Cabrera, are adept in turning around people with little time to spare, even inside an hour if that is what they want; though, in fact, most of the patrons who are drawn to Caravaggio usually wish to linger a little longer over lunch, particularly if they want to clinch a deal.

Chef Jonathan Lees has crafted a menu, which displays unflinching loyalty to Italy. Caravaggio's commitment to fresh ingredients is evident in the fact that they employ a buyer to search out the very best, instead of relying on less focused suppliers. Which explains why the pasta is perfect and the risotto, a revelation.

Parmigiano herb crusted seared beef carpaccio with celery and parmesan or poached asparagus with sautéed quail eggs and Hollandaise sauce could be followed by linguine with fresh seafood tossed in a tomato sauce with garlic and chilli or risotto with tiger prawns and spring onions. Fish lovers could plump for the grilled swordfish with sauce vierge, or roasted fillet of salmon with oregano, parsley and Jersey Royal potatoes.

Meat dishes include grilled breast of chicken with a chicory and mange tout salad and 28 day matured Scotch rib-eye, sliced and char-grilled with béarnaise and thick cut chips. It's worth leaving room for a bitter chocolate mousse with vanilla ice cream or the rhubarb panna cotta. If choosing a glass of wine from the extensive list proves too irksome then just pop a question to the knowledgeable sommelier, who would be happy to help.

If you've been awe-struck by the famous works of art by Italian painters and sculptors and wish to see similar dedication and innovation closer to home, then step in to Caravaggio where people aim to demonstrate the same in the food and drink they serve. For full menus and wine list, visit their Website, which also has details about holding private functions there in the evenings and at the weekend.