Quirinale

The area around the Houses of Parliament is not renowned for the quality of its restaurants, strangely the occupants are apparently more interested in talking than eating, but along has come Quirinale to boost the overall level. Italian in style it has quickly established an excellent reputation, as well as being a light, bright and airy place to enjoy a meal, surprisingly as it is housed in a semi-basement, a tribute to clever design. The restaurant has become a favourite amongst politicians and media types from the many television stations based close by.

Service, which is friendly and relaxed complements the food: excellent beef carpaccio with triangles of pecorino cheese; pea soup with pancetta and goat's cheese, or a salad of air-cured ham, veal sweetbreads and truffle oil. Main courses include: roast monkfish wrapped in speck; roast wild salmon trout with caramelised shallots; tortellini filled with ricotta and bottarga and rib-eye steak with rosemary. The menu changes seasonally and many ingredients are sourced directly from Italy by the Northern Italian chef.