Murano - Mayfair

Following her departure from the Connaught in 2007, the doyenne of British female chefs Angela Hartnett (MBE) is back with a vengeance with her fine-dining restaurant in Mayfair which has been awarded a Michelin star. Named after the exclusive Venetian glass, it is gilded with elaborate sculpted chandeliers, magnificent fresco panels and traditional blown glasswork light fittings.

Hartnett (in tandem with head chef Diego Cardoso) creates top-end cuisine with strong Italian leanings - the kind of food that got her plaudits aplenty at the Connaught. Her instinct for authentic ingredients shows in - say - oven-roasted San Marzano tomatoes with Burrata Campana cheese and 2004 Manni olive oil, but British produce also figures strongly: grilled Cornish red mullet with crushed peas and white grape vinaigrette, Scotch beef fillet with Barolo, and rack of Welsh lamb with slow-cooked shoulder, tortellini and grilled courgettes.

To conclude, you might have some English strawberries with white balsamic jelly and Mascarpone sorbet or apricot soufflé with Amaretto di Saronno ice cream. There's a raised private dining area with a direct view into the kitchen, plus a mouthwatering wine list peppered with Italian games and more besides.