It’s official: I’ve now entered my 'Italian summer' girl era. While I might not have the budget to visit Kardashian playground Positano, there’s a new pretty pop-up in Mayfair by a Michelin chef that’ll easily transport you to sunnier shores without having to pack your passport or take out a new loan. Come closer and let me reveal all about Theo's On The Terrace London. 

Prepare for a fine dining Italian feast right in the heart of the capital.

Firstly, I dare you to name a tougher maze than the Marble Arch roundabout. Probably lured into a false sense of security by the initially leisurely stroll from Victoria train station, I found it near impossible to get from one side to the other when the traffic was as chocka as it proved to be that day. But the red and blue umbrellas directly outside Theo Randall At The Intercontinental (a luxe Park Lane hotel) acted like a glorious beacon in the near distance.

This gorgeous, flower-lined terrace had been thoughtfully laid out. White wooden panels contrasted with the vibrant pinstripe fencing and festoon lights that separated us from the pavement. The aforementioned parasols (and matching cushions) were a sight in themselves; patterned with Amalfi-esque golden swirls, navy blooms and bold scarlet flashes. Indeed, we timed our visit with a short but heavy thunderstorm and we didn’t feel the rain once; the brollys were definitely working overtime that day. To the far side, you’ll see the cocktail shack, very beach bar-esque, decorated in ceramic pots and vibrant porcelain busts. In summary, the best way I can describe the area is a paradise in the chaos; we felt instantly relaxed as soon as we sat down.

Your Theo's On The Terrace menu is a love letter to southern Italy, blending the finest seasonal ingredients with authentic imports carefully chosen by chef Theo Randall. My dinner date for the evening, my brother, had just returned from Sicily and picked the Amalfi Sunset Spritz (£15) to keep the sunny vibes going. Think a dainty pink-coloured drink blending Malfy Gin Rosa, blood orange soda and prosecco, topped with a plump strawberry. You could really taste the thyme too which went down well. I opted for the interesting-sounding Peroni Limone (£12), a mix of beer, limoncello, juice and sprigs of fresh mint. Although refreshing and delightfully fizzy, I would have liked a bit more lemon flavour to come through.

Our Theo's On The Terrace prices can be found throughout this article.

Next up came some antipasti and boy did they deliver, as the arancini (£14) was my favourite dish of the night. These perfectly salted three spherical golden rays of sunshine were crunchy on the outside with an oozy mozzarella centre, giving an impressive photo-worthy cheese pull. The saffron provided colour and delicate floral notes, while the baby spinach had a nice earthy flavour. Following recommendations by the attentive team, my brother’s Tagliere Di Formaggi E Salumi (£28) was a hit too. Just imagine a huge wooden board, featuring lovely turquoise designs that reminded me of the sea, topped with ripples of cured meat and three generous wedges of silky artisan cheese. Don’t skip on the homemade chutney or snap-worthy breadsticks either, as the rich tomato cut through the creaminess nicely.

The venue was filling up by this point, creating a buzzing Thursday evening atmosphere which we loved. As the clouds cleared (typical chop-change British weather, eh?), our mains arrived at our table. There were multiple options for herbivores, making my decision tricky, but the friendly host helped me land on the aubergine parmigiana (£16), as he was from Sicily and it’s a firm fave over there. This comforting classic was baked with oregano-seasoned tomato, layered with juicy eggplant and finished off with gigantic dollops of mozzarella. It’s important to note though that the parmesan made the meal not completely vegetarian. As for my brother, he picked the southern Italian fried chicken (£24) from the Theo Randall at The Intercontinental menu, boasting a delicious breadcrumbed fillet that was remarkably tender and in no way dry (make sure to squeeze the lemon on top). There were a decent number of sides included, like the pots of skin-on crispy potatoes and a zesty mixed leaf salad dotted with tomatoes. The vivid yellow aioli was a great consistency, plus heavy on the garlic which always goes down well with us.

Doesn't the terrace at Theo Randall at The Intercontinental London look dreamy?

Want the intel on more cocktails? Ah, go on then. The Ciao Malfy Spritz (£15), one of the most popular sips, mixed Malfy Gin Con Limone, sparkling orange, prosecco and basil, decorated with berries. Again, we thought the tipple would have more of a citrusy flavour but it still gave us a nice taste of la dolce vita. My indecisiveness continued, so asked the team to surprise me with a negroni or Aperol spritz (£14) to close the evening. I was happy to see the latter arrive, and it turned out to be perfectly bittersweet and bubbly.

Disclaimer, the food eventually beat me on this occasion and I couldn’t fit in any more. But my younger sibling couldn’t leave without trying Theo’s signature gelato (£8); two tasty-as-hell chocolate and vanilla scoops served in a traditional ice cream glass. 

The DesignMyNight Digest 

We had a great time at Theo’s On The Terrace, kudos to the incredible staff, tasty dishes and playful surroundings. The space had an upmarket beach cafe feel and if you’ve checked out the Theo's On The Terrace reviews, you’ll have seen the vibrant Italian fare served on Instagrammable plates from Vietri. I’ll put away my passport for now… 

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