A few weeks back I discovered a tiny oasis hidden amongst the hustle and bustle of Mayfair, London. With those yearning for sunnier days, let the Italicus Terrace at Café Biltmore whisk you away to the Italian coast.
The open courtyard has been transformed into an Italicus Terrace, with lashings of bright orange and turquoise colours with an explosion of flowers surrounding the area. Those colours plus the white and black mosaic floor transport you to the Mediterranean with the fresh fruits of lemons and oranges create the gentle smell of summer in the air.
To add to the experience, Café Biltmore has crafted a special menu with Italicus to reintroduce you to summer. I start the experience with their crab on toast. The freshness of crab paired with the zingy lemon and cool yogurt added to the feeling of being on holiday by the coast.
My partner had the Squid calamari with Thai dressing and sweet chilli sauce. The calamari had a rich batter that oozed indulgence. The Thai dressing added a kick that was enough to liven the dish but not to overpower and was a reminder of the richer spices and warmth you have in summer.
For the main we kept with the coastal theme. I had beautifully handmade creste di gallo pasta with prawns, garlic, lime and a chilli and ginger infused bisque. The pasta and flavours created this hearty warmth of familiarity. It had generous chunks of king prawn, which were meaty but delicate in flavour with a sauce to marry it all together.
My partner for his main meal had roasted cod with jersey royal potatoes, wild garlic and English peas. The cod was silky to eat and fell apart in your mouth. The buttery potatoes and fresh peas all melts together to create a smooth yet filling dish.
Dessert arrived too soon in the evening yet created so much excitement. The artistry of presentation paired with the flavours of the food made the desserts the stars that night. I opted for the caramelised lemon tart. The crisp crunch of caramelised lemon on the top was like a crème brûlée topping, it was fun to crack into it to see the rest of the dish. The lemon cut through the buttery tart pastry so that neither flavour overpowered. It was paired with a natural yogurt sorbet which was a tangy cleanser I didn’t know I needed.
My partner jumped at the chance to order the Tahitian vanilla parfait with strawberry, lemon verbena and white chocolate. Its shortbread was masterfully thin but didn’t lack in being present and flavourful. You had all the parts you needed for a perfect dessert, the sweetness of the strawberries and white chocolate, creamy parfait to smooth and bring together then the lemon to add the sharpness and to cut through the sweetness.
In addition to the al fresco dining on the Italicus Terrace, Café Biltmore have created a cocktail bar in the courtyard. We paired our meal with the Il Rinfrescante cocktail. With its crisp, fresh citrus and the smoothness of the Italicus and elderflower, it added some vibrancy to the summery meal.
Towards the end of the evening, we heard a sports car revving on the other side of the courtyard out on the main road. It was the first sign of London we had all evening. We had forgotten we were in the thick of a city. It had been a mini romantic break to Italy all in the heart of London.
As the sunlight parted and the warm fire from heaters brightened, the music, food and ambiance was perfect. Thank you Café Biltmore for bringing in summer 2022.
To discover more, visit: hilton.com/the-biltmore-mayfair
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All imagery courtesy of Hilton Hotels.