Chelsea may have well turned into a warren of Italian restaurants, but Ziani's Restaurant has more to do with Venetia bringing out some remarkable favourites from the region. Located in a quiet street in the heart of this enduringly busy shopping mecca, the easy-on-the-eye décor with clean lines and minimalist furnishings provides a welcome respite after a tiring day out.

Every Italian menu is worth leafing through, but for this one the sheer variety is overwhelming, starting with the appetizers that embrace everything from raw fillet steak and cold baby cuttlefish to baked aubergine and Parma ham. Pastas are a mainstay in any Italian kitchen and if you'd wish to keep it straightforward, try the lasagne al forno. The strong Venetian accent is evident in dishes such as thin strips of calf's liver cooked with onions and red wine vinegar, while pancakes filled with mascarpone cream, topped with crushed almond biscuits and Tia Maria could be the right answer for you dessert whimsy.