There are over 40 cicchetti to choose from at this sophisticated King’s Road aperitivo bar, but the cocktail, with Paolo Viola (ex The Rivoli Bar at The Ritz) as kingmaker, is the undisputed ‘capo.’ Made with passion and flair, using Italian ingredients wherever possible - an interesting range of local gins has Dolomites-distilled Ginpilz, big on juniper, citrus and alpine herbals - local liqueurs and homemade tinctures, the range covers classics (barrel-aged Negroni); Milan’s current fetish, a vodka mule made with clementine and cinnamon and Campari bitters, and signatures designed to evoke various regions. At £13.50 for Liguria, - Caribbean rhum, Mediterranean falernum and lemon verbena liqueur - prices are more Sloane Square than World’s End (Ritorno’s locale) but all the ingredients are here to pull in the minted Made In Chelsea mafia: sleek design, Ibiza beats, a private dining room, super-sweet staff and, all-importantly, killer hot date lighting! Suggested food pairings include octopus carpaccio, pomegranate and mint sauce with Lady Giulia (Sabatini gin, raspberry shrub, green tea and mint air twist, one of many modern Bellini). Homemade tagliolini with mini meatballs; vitello tonnato; cream of broccoli soup with Sicilian anchovies on fried bread; crispy pork belly with basil oil; deep-fried dumpling with Culaccia ham (£5.50), and citrus strudel are other highlights. and at the risk of sounding like an old Dean Martin song, lunchtime panini and Italian brunch served each Sunday are further reason return to Ritorno.
422 Kings Road SW10 0LQ 3301 6333 www.ritorno.co.uk/
