Pendolino

Perched above the Victorian wrought iron railings of the Strand Arcade, this moody, atmospheric dining room sings with opulent, operatic notes. Owner Nino Zoccali's passion for produce, the kitchen's pitch-perfect take on Italian flavours and ever-attentive service come together in sweet harmony. A trio of fruity olive oils and freshly baked bread is a lovely prelude to a lively selection of entrees, running from beef carpaccio with truffle oil to rabbit and cannellini bean salad. Excellently al dente pasta, made in-house into silky delicate ribbons, is cleverly combined with truly original sauces from velvety veal ragu enriched with bone marrow to the signature chitarra with barramundi and prawns. Main courses draw inspiration from the classics. Great grilled sirloin has a swoosh of smooth parsnip puree and buttery roasted garlic, while meltingly slow-cooked lamb loin comes with fluffy polenta and a crisp sphere of potato strings. Chocolate honeycomb bigne comes anointed with a sprig of gold leaf.