Marco Pierre White and Frankie Dettori have created a mini chain of great Italian family restaurants, with a fun and glamorous branch in ritzy Knightsbridge.

The Venue
In Yeoman’s Row just off Brompton Road, Frankies Italian Bar and Grill is just round the corner from Harrods, walking distance from Knightsbridge and South Kensington underground stations. The glam location is matched by the discotastic interior, which features huge decadent glitterballs, mirrored walls and monochrome tiled flooring. You’ll need to descend the stairs to reach the basement dining room, which is open plan and laid out with disposable brown paper tablecloths for speed and efficiency.

The Atmosphere
Testament to Frankie Dettori’s own ever-expanding family (he has half a dozen children), Frankies Italian Bar and Grill attracts mostly families and young Sloaney types, with a crowd drawn from locals and visitors alike. Getting busy early on due to the abundance of children, the atmosphere is lively and buzzing with kiddies drawing on the paper tablecloths and adults enjoying a cocktail over a casual meal. The staff are a little bit of a letdown, with an unfriendly and too-efficient attitude, but they’re under pressure to keep people moving and they make sure everyone gets what they want, so long as that isn’t a friendly chat over the menu.

The Food
People expecting great gastronomic delights on the strength of Marco Pierre White’s three Michelin stars would be advised to remember the menu here is a third of the price of those at his other establishments, and that the intention is to provide a fun night out for all the family. The menu is certainly reflective of that – where else in Knightsbridge can you eat a rib eye steak for £13? There’s a wide choice of everything here from pizzas and pasta to steaks, fish and salads. The antipasti is the best way to kick off the meal so that everyone can dip in and share, with offerings such as salami, bresaola, parma ham with figs and beef carpaccio, priced at £6.50 each. There’s not much to say about these dishes – they’re well portioned and a sociable way to start a meal, though it can get pricey if you order too many courses.

The main courses are great bargains, with pastas priced at £8.50 each and pizzas at around £7. The chicken burger with Caesar salad is a fresh, whole chicken breast - chargrilled and ever so filling, priced at just £6.95; and the £7.50 Napoletana pizza with capers, olives and anchovies is a delight with its generous size - the salty and doughy flavours blending together perfectly. With prices this cheap, Frankies Italian Bar and Grill really sets itself apart in this locale in terms of value for money, and it’s worth adding the fries, spinach or zucchini side orders at just £1.95 each.

Desserts are all modern Italian and European options, with panacotta and Champagne poached strawberries and mascarpone creme brulee among the lighter options if you’re struggling after the hefty main courses, all priced at £4.95 each.

The Drink
Frankies Italian Bar and Grill offer a decent wine list, organised by price rather than geographical origin, with three whites and three reds priced at just £12.50 each, including the fruity and spicy Pinot Nero from Veneto in Italy. There’s a further thirty wine options, priced from £15 to £30 a bottle, plus four champagnes and a decent Prosecco priced from £22 to £55.

The Last Word
Frankies Italian Bar and Grill is a family restaurant that offers a bit more decadence and fun for the parents than traditional chain venues. With well-executed, quality Italian fare and really low prices, this Knightsbridge outpost is a destination for everyone to enjoy.

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