Named after the Sicilian word for almond, Mennula in Charlotte Street offers guests warm welcoming interiors with comfortable deep aubergine seating, walnut floors and white Italian stucco walls. An evening of gastronomic exploration is what follows.

The seasonally changing menu is just right for those in the thick of things in Theatreland. Chef patron Santino Busciglio utilises the freshest seasonal ingredients, many of which are imported from Sicily. Launch away with roasted almonds with sea salt, Nduja spicy salami with crostino or deep fried rice balls with cheese. Choices of pasta include pappardelle with winter black truffle butter sauce and Maltagliati chestnut pasta with braised venison. Dishes such as honey roasted middle white pork with white polenta and black winter truffle, pan-fried fillet of Scottish beef with celeriac cream and fillet of sea bream with olive crust bring up the main course. Elaborate confections of cassata layered sponge with marzipan, pistachio, chocolate, ricotta and candied fruits and samosa of figs wrapped in frangipane and served with caramelised almonds, zabaione and semifreddo wrap up the meal in sumptuous fashion.