Ziani

Restaurant: Ziani
Location: London, UK
Address: 45 Radnor Walk, London, SW3 4BP
Date: May, 2010 
Rating: 8 out of 10

Ziani remains one of the best restaurants in London for spaghetti alle vongole. Note that in the above photo I had already mixed the clams into the spaghetti, hence the messy presentation.


The spaghetti is consistently al dente, not too oily and always with just the right hint of chilli. The clams are a good size and take the flavour well (occasionally I find poorly cooked vongole has a bland or metallic flavour that jars against the flavour of the spaghetti and juices -- not so at Ziani).


The size of the portion at Ziani is just right and leaves you wanting more but without being hungry. A good amount of mopping up juice remained in the bowl.


Ziani itself is in a quiet street in Chelsea and hence draws a local (well-heeled) crowd. It is buzzy most lunch and evenings and excellent for parties or simply a deux. It is small though, so call ahead and reserve.


HIGHLY RECOMMENDED