Knightsbridge. Where flashy Ferraris rev their engines, diamonds glisten in shop windows, and streets swarm with masses of visitors. It's an area that local Londoners seem to have veered away from in recent times, and understandably so. For many, the stately allure of Harrods has become no more than a stop-off for the double decker tour busses. However, if you look past the souvenir stalls and chain restaurants, you'll catch a glimpse of what this area of London once was and still, at heart, is. The cultural landmarks, the sprawling Hyde Park, and most importantly, the restaurants designed for leisurely lunches.
Translating to ‘sunrise’ in Italian, Alba sits atop an intimidatingly-chic interiors showroom. Up the spiral staircase, an airy, light-drenched space spilled before us with pops of colour inspired by the Amalfi Coast. From the olive trees to the lemon-themed tablescapes, the aesthetics are so pleasing, they leave us with a niggling concern that the cooking is nothing but an afterthought. We've all fallen prey to the restaurants that sacrifice food quality for instagram-ability. Then we noticed the fresh seafood display and the smiling chef making pasta from scratch in the open kitchen, and we exhaled a sigh of relief.
Alba exudes the glamour and elegance synonymous with Knightsbridge, but with the warmth and hospitality of an authentic Italian restaurant. At the top of the stairs we were met with by a beaming hostess who led us to our window table overlooking Harrods. The menu was reminiscent of a coffee-table book, opening out to reveal an impressively priced 'Lunch in 55 Minutes', a 2-course set menu with unlimited teas and coffees. Today, however, we had time on our side. We went for the a la carte and a cocktail, of course.
It was winter, but we felt inspired by the Southern Italian decor and so, opted for the Amalfi Spritz. Made with a concoction of Ciroc Vodka, Limoncello, Lemon Juice, Bay Leaf, and a topping with Prosecco, it's equal parts zesty, herbal, crisp. If 'a coastal Italian town in the summer' has a taste, this aperitif is what it is.
A point to note, the servings here are generous. Not just for Knightsbridge, but for London in general. Another point, don't be fooled by the deceptively bland name of the Green Salad. Oversized butterhead leaves fill the entire base of the plate, while stems of fresh asparagus, buttery artichoke and green beans sit on top. The fuss is minimal, letting the ingredients take centre-stage. Simple? Perhaps. But wonderfully tasty. The way Italian food should be.
As a main, I was tempted by the Octopus. I have previously enjoyed octopus served with a background noise of waves crashing outside. Never before have I dared to try it in the city of London, much less a restaurant in the heart of London's Big Bus route. If done incorrectly, octopus can single-handedly be one of the most repulsively chewy dishes one can eat. However, so far Alba had won my trust and so, I ordered it. It came served in a rich Luciana Tomato Sauce with a sprinkle of olives and capers. Buttery soft with a crisp exterior, it exceeded all of my expectations.
At an Italian restaurant, it felt wrong not to order a pasta of some sort. In sticking with the seafood theme, we opted for the Spaghetti Al Nero Di Seppia. Nero di Seppia translates to the ink of cuttlefish. If you're not aware of this, it might come as a surprise given its stark black colour. However, the squid ink adds a deep, earthy flavour to the dish that's entirely unique, cut through with gratings of parmesan.
To conclude, in its process of becoming accessible to visitors, sprinklings of Prets, Cafe Neros, and other grab-and-go fuel spots have popped up around Knightsbridge. However, to resort to these options will inhibit you from truly experiencing this affluent area of London. To indulge in a leisurely Italian lunch with zesty cocktails and fresh seafood overlooking Harrods, on the other hand, is very Knightsbridge. And Alba is the perfect place to do so.
