Anyone with their eyes fixed on the London Italian restaurant scene (or just frequent readers of our website) will have heard of Big Mamma; the super decorated, super tasty trio of restaurants in London. Ave Mario, Gloria, and Circolo Popolare are the restaurants in London, but you’ll find them scattered all over Europe – from Paris to Lyon to Madrid to Berlin.
Now, we’ve got our fourth member of the London Big Mamma family; a four-storey “pleasure palace” in Kensington. It landed on January 20, and it goes by the name of Jacuzzi. Marking Big Mamma’s first venture into west London, it’s safe to say that, judging by the stunning interiors and fabulous plates, they’ll be making a big splash.
It’s their most luxurious restaurant to date, – and, let’s face it, we knew that would be the case when we hard it was a pleasure palace for God’s sake! – Jacuzzi will be a heavenly paradise of food set across four floors and 4,000 square feet. Venture up three flights and you’ll find a Sicilian mezzanine with a retractable roof opening out to the bustle of High Street Kensington. Plus, while we aren’t normally shouting about the toilets when visiting a new restaurant, these ones have piqued our interest. Why? There’s glitter disco balls in them.
But all this eye-watering décor must be matched with mouth-watering plates, so it’s a good thing this is the Big Mamma collective we’re talking about. Head chef Manuel is showcasing the finest ingredients from their Italian suppliers, so expect the likes of Culatello di Zibello from Onesto Ghiradi served with gnocchi fritti or Burrata with fresh seasonal truffle to start things off.
Then you can lick your lips and prepare for the headliners: I’ve got my eye on the Lobster Risotto with half lobster, clams, red gurnard and cuttlefish, though mushroom champions can opt for the famous truffle pasta; a two-person affair fresh black truffle, truffle cream and parmigiano foam, in a 4kg wheel of pecorino. Top the evening off with a Cioccolato Fondue and you’re night will be complete. If you’re four floors up after all that food, maybe give yourself a breather before making the trip back down. After all, you probably weren’t done taking in Jacuzzi’s fabulous decorations anyway!
Jacuzzi is open now, and you can find it at 94 Kensington High Street, W8 4SJ. Read more about Big Mamma on their website.