There’s quite a buzz when you enter the latest branch of Harry’s; you really do feel as if you are joining the ‘beautiful people’ and stepping back in time to 1950’s Italy.
The decor is spectacular, with leather banquette seating and the walls adorned with stylish artwork and iconic images highlighting ‘la dolce vita’. 
It’s located in Terminal House in Grosvenor Gardens, one of the big developments just opposite Victoria station and is, apparently, the largest of the Harry’s sites in London to date. It boasts two open air terraces, as well as a large restaurant and raised bar area, and offers all-day dining from breakfast through to dinner.
I started my evening by ordering a Negroni – and I have to say, it was probably the best one I’ve ever tasted. It was seriously good – and perfectly balanced.
Our Starters
For starters, I chose creamy burrata from Puglia with prosciutto crudo, pistachio and pane fritto, while my husband, who can never resist calamari, chose crispy, polenta-coated squid with garlic aioli. My burrata was deliciously creamy and oozy, and sprinkled with the chopped pistachios (something I’d not considered putting with burrata but it certainly worked). While the pane fritto was very tasty, it did add a lot of richness and oil to the dish, which I felt didn’t need it, as the burrata and prosciutto were the heroes.
The calamari was served in a napkin-lined cone, an unusual presentation. It was piping hot and declared beautifully crispy thanks to the polenta coating.
The Mains
My husband had already announced that he wanted to order the signature lobster ravioli (filled with lobster, D.O.P. San Marzano tomato in a fragrant shellfish emulsion with basil, chives and Amalfi lemon) so I decided to join him with a fishy main, and chose chargrilled tuna steak served with cannellini beans and a warm tomato, Taggiasca olive, Amalfi lemon and basil salsa.
For sides we ordered tenderstem broccoli (with parmesan and lemon) and a rocket and parmesan salad.
My tuna dish was delicious – it was attractively presented and the beans were beautifully flavoured with pieces of lemon zest. It was a tasty and light dish, served tepid, perfect for a summer evening.
I hardly managed to get a look in with the lobster ravioli – it was declared well filled with lobster, and the sauce (I managed to swipe a small taste) was nicely tangy.
The tenderstem was cooked perfectly, and my salad was very straightforward, but good.
Dessert
Not that either of us needed anything more, but we had heard a lot about the signature dessert: Harry’s Toadstool (White chocolate, fresh raspberries, mascarpone mousse, iced vanilla parfait and pistachio biscotti crunch, served with warm pistachio sauce).
My husband jumped at the chance and then I was persuaded, by our waiter, to join him, and order an Amalfi Sundae (Lemon sorbet, candied lemon, whipped cream, milk gelato, meringue, lemon sauce and sugared rosemary).
Both were stupendous and, needless to say, incredibly rich. I only managed a few delicious mouthfuls of my sundae, which did taste refreshing (and could have been designed specially for instagram, it was so beautifully presented). My husband finished it for me, with little persuasion needed.
Coffee
A seriously Italian – and very good – double espresso (L’Unico Caffe Musetti apparently) was the perfect finale.
We took ourselves off to the underground, feeling as if we’d had a quick trip to Venice.
Harry’s Victoria also offers a great value ‘Pre Teatro’ menu at £22.50 for two, or £28.50 for three courses. It’s available Monday to Friday from 11.30 am. Till 6.30 until the end of August. At the weekend there is a very interesting sounding brunch menu available too.
