Babbo Review

Babbo is hidden jewel in the heart of Mayfair

Babbo restaurant Mayfair is a vibrant Italian restaurant with the perfect eclectic interior. Babbo meaning ‘Daddy’ in Italian offers classic Italian dishes some of which have been passed down over 100 years. Though Babbo is remarked for honoring authentic tradition in its exceptional food and drink offering, Spanish graffiti artist Victorianio’s artwork adds modern vigor to the setting with the incredible colourful and custom graffiti murals adorning the walls. 

 

With Babbo due to celebrate their first anniversary in May, we had to head down to taste and experience what the restaurant had to offer. On entering the venue we were welcomed by warm and friendly staff. Our waiter was more than happy to explain the details of the menu to us as well us recommend some of his favourite dishes. We of course went with his recommendation, after hearing so much about the food we wanted to pick the best the restaurant had to offer and we were not disappointed. 

 

For our starters we ate the Arancini al Tartufo which are rice balls with aged parmesan, burrata and black truffle, the Crocchette di Granchio e Merluzzo which were the crab and cod croquettes served with a spicy mayonnaise and the Tartars di Gamberoni Rossi which were the ref prawns from Mazzara del Vallo, spring onion, quinoa cracker, Imperial caviar and apple gazpacho. The starters were as incredible as they sounded, my favourite had to be the arancini balls the reminded me of the arancini I ate in Florence a couple of years ago, that I still have cravings for. These dishes were absolutely divine and perfectly cooked, paired with some Italian red wine it was the perfect start to our meal. 

 

The mains were divine and the presentation out of this world. I had better explain what we ate. My friend ate the Branzino al Sale, the salt baked whole sea Atlantic sea bass. The seabass came out in what I can only describe as a cocoon of salt, the waiter literally opens up the cocoon and fillets the seabass right in front of you. It was like watching food porn and art at the table, and the seabass tasted amazing and was cooked to perfect. Honestly if you visit try this dish!

For my main I opted for the Carre di Agnello con Fegato d’Oca, the rack of lamb with pan fried foie gras, spinach, crunchy truffle potatoes, aubergine puree and garlic sour cream. This dish I cannot even describe in words, lamb cooked perfectly and the accompaniments paired with it were so incredible. I struggled with the foie gras a bit, but I have never really been a fan, my friend on the other hand gobbled it up quickly so I know it tasted great. I wish we opted for the restaurant’s tasting menu, and then we could have tasted even more dishes. Its very affordable at £60 per head and comes with a glass of prosecco. 

 

To end the night we had to have some of the desserts my friend had the trio of cheesecakes, I can’t remember what was in them all but they were not only beautiful to behold but amazing to taste. I ate the deconstructed Tiramisu, it looked like a giant dark chocolate egg on a bed of coffee and crumble, it was lush…. 

 

Honestly Babbo was authentic Italian in everyway and for someone who travels to Italy frequently, I was so happy to have been reminded of the tastes I missed so much. 

 

Head down there:

Address: 39 Albemarle St, Mayfair, London W1S 4JQ

 

Website: https://www.babborestaurant.co.uk