Don’t know about you, but Sunday afternoons spent exploring the capital around the festive season are a winner in my book, especially when it’s the lovely combo of chilly and sunny. But if you’re after a classy yet cosy escape after checking out Belgravia’s pretty Georgian buildings and big sights like The Royal Albert Hall or Hyde Park, we’ve got a tip for you. Head to The Hari hotel London, where you’ll find a snug hideaway and charming Italian restaurant, il Pampero, both open to non-guests.
The Hari London reviews are in: and we can safely say this is a must-visit.
DesignMyNight Review Of The Hari London and il Pampero
In addition to a sister venue in Hong Kong, The Hari Chesham Place, a five-star luxury hotel, opened its doors in 2016 and has since had a shiny new refurb. As you head upstairs, past glittering Christmas trees, you’ll find London’s best-kept secret. The stunning Garden Terrace, dressed in pinecones, golden stems, silk bows and twinkling fairy lights, plus floor-to-ceiling foliage on the walls. It felt like we were in Narnia, a proper hidden winter paradise. The retractable glass roof provided shelter but at the same time allowed us to see the stars and sure, the weather was a bit nips but nothing a heater or fluffy coat couldn’t sort.
To celebrate The Hari bar’s festive installation, in partnership with The Dalmore Distillery, we chose cocktails that reflected the setting and the season. My Mandarin Mistletoe (£18) was a bright amber-coloured citrusy yet smoky blend of Highland single malt whisky, neroli, black tea, vanilla and ginger ale, served in a tall glass. Decorated in orange dustings, this warming number tasted delicious and really looked the part. Going alcohol-free for the night, my date chose The Gardener’s Tipple (£12); mixing up apples, lemongrass and ginger beer, plus basil which gave it nice herby notes.
Drop by the il Pampero restaurant for a
gastronomic adventure.
We could have stayed much longer in this intimate oasis but our bellies were growling uncontrollably, so headed downstairs for dinner. The Hari London Belgravia’s in-house restaurant, il Pampero, is a destination in its own right. Named in homage to the restaurant owner's favourite horse, this stylish gem boasted emerald-coloured wooden panels alongside exposed brickwork, housing trinkets, historic photos, grand mirrors and colourful works of art. We particularly liked the geometric monochrome floor which gave things a modern, elegant feel. Our comfy circular booth had curtains for a trattoria-inspired vibe (also providing privacy from the road) and a gigantic spherical lampshade that reminded me of a spaceman’s helmet.
As I sipped a zesty Cloudy Bay sauvignon blanc (£23 per glass), our Italian feast began with the Burrata (£18); a bouncy globe of delightfully stretchy Andria cheese paired perfectly with sweet figs and drizzles of aged balsamic vinegar. The grilled chicory gave the dish a lovely charred flavour to bring it all together. As for my partner? He opted for Carpaccio Di Manzo (£18), combining delicate slices of beef, pickled wild mushrooms for sharpness and creamy ricotta, topped with salty-nutty Parmesan shavings.
Googled ‘hotel The Hari London’? Well, here are our thoughts on one of London’s finest stays.
The il Pampero menu was proving to be a big hit with us and the good times continued with our mains. Vegans or vegetarians should make a beeline for the Tortino Di Zucca (£25); essentially circular chunks of soft pumpkin dotted with seeds and a hazelnut pesto, but the stars of the show? The vibrant rainbow chard which was cut into ribbons. Clearly showing our love for gourd, my dinner date’s Petto D’Anatra (£36) delighted on all fronts, from the sunrise-coloured pumpkin purée and honey-glazed plum to the perfectly cooked slabs of duck, finished off with a subtle lavender jus. Our advice is to order some sides with this dish, and our buttery Patate Arrosto (£6), a generous helping of garlic and rosemary potatoes, were the ideal accompaniment.
After seeing the il Pampero photos showing their famous tiramisu (£14), we couldn’t help but order it. Here, you're given a selection of liqueur to use as a base for this Italian coffee-laced classic and it’s theatrically prepared right by your table. We chose to soak the biscuits with Frangelico as it’s got a boozy hazelnut flavour which properly slapped us around the face (it was that potent) but was offset by indulgent mascarpone cream and sprinkles of coca powder. This fabulous finale was next-level good …nonna would be proud.
Poached pear is quite apt for this time of year, down to the mulled wine-like flavours, so I ordered the Pere E Mascarpone (£10). The quarters of pink fruit looked a bit like tongues, but don’t let that put you off as it’s tasty as hell. Think aromatic seasonal spices, thick cheese, crumble for crunch and a crisscross pattern of sticky sweet berry sauce.
The Hari and il Pampero London: Overall
Even though The Hari hotel Belgravia can be found in a
quintessentially British neighbourhood, we found ourselves
transported to other magical lands, including Italy. Their
clandestine garden gave us serious yuletide forest feels and the il
Pampero restaurant menu was sophisticated yet homely, plus the
service was absolutely faultless.
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💰 Price: £180 for two, excluding service. 📍 Address: 20 Chesham Place, London, SW1X 8HQ. 👌 Perfect for: A festive date night. ⭐ Need to know: The terrace transforms into a colourful suntrap in summer, plus there's also an extensive cigar menu. |
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