Robyn Davis

This is the late chef and Italophile Russell Norman’s ode to a Florentine trattoria. Instantly atmospheric, the downlit restaurant has linen draped over bulbs and tables set on various levels. Red-and-white checked tablecloths are covered in plates splattered with tonnato sauce and caperberries or raw porcini mushrooms topped with shards of aged Parmesan. A restaurant with one of London’s most authentic Italian moods and menus.

Just above Lake Mouriscot is the sublime Villa Magnan, a pension de familie and otherwise described as a residential guesthouse. Nestled within the Biarritz countryside, Villa Magnan is six bedroom, peaceful haven. Communal breakfasts are served in the Orangery using only local ingredients, the rooms are decorated with Art Deco knick knacks and the living areas scattered with Pierre Paulin armchairs, huge murals and incredible antiques. Each year a different chef-in residence takes over the on-site, greenhouse kitchen, De Puta Madre and transforms this sanctuary into a wonderful chaos of good food and high energy serving up delectable, hand cooked dishes. This year welcomes Paul-Antoine Bertin to the scene.