Restaurant Review: IT London, Dover Street, Mayfair in London

Having established itself in Ibiza in 2015 and Milan last year, IT – a new boujee restaurant concept as chic as its chosen locale’s suggest, has most recently arrived on the sought-after Dover Street in London’s Mayfair. Founded by Alessio Matrone, IT London opened on Thursday, 14th November 2019 offering a new fine-dining destination which Alessio describes as where ‘fine Mediterranean cuisine meets the Balearic beat of Ibiza’.

IT London’s situe may lie in an area famous for its attitude for the British stiff upper lip, but step inside and the restaurant’s laissez faire European ambience permeates its plush walls. You may question whether this youthful new luxury dining concept can be dropped in that more often than not unfortunate, ‘style over substance’ box; this is until you hear of IT Milan acquiring its first Michelin star this November, no less than seven months after opening.

IT London’s situe may lie in an area famous for its attitude for the British stiff upper lip, but step inside and the restaurant’s lassie-affair European ambience permeates its plush walls.

A combination of the magnetic Mediterranean spirit, music and late nights elevated with exquisite food – IT London is a place not only for those who want to see and be seen but a place for real foodies to get stuck into some truly inspired dishes. Ensuring that star quality and reputation is withheld across each of the three IT establishments, IT London’s menu is overseen by chef Gennaro Esposito, of two Michelin-starred Torre del Saracino, who currently oversees all three IT restaurants. It was at Torre del Saracino, in Gennaro’s hometown of Vico Equense on the coast of Sorrento, that he first worked with Adriano Rausa who comes from IT in Milan to take up the Head Chef position.

Many flavours across IT London’s menu shines a spotlight on Esposito’s southern Italy with the chef’s signature dishes of Spaghetto al Pomodoro, made with IT’s homemade Vesuvio tomato sauce, acclaimed scabbardfish 80’s style, Nocellara olive soup, fennel purée and a selection of IT’s speciality pizzas with their famously thin crusts. Meanwhile, if we turn our attention to the dessert menu, the traditional Neapolitan babà is a favourite, offering a taste of one of Italy’s most famous delicacies.

Able to accommodate 100 across its bar and restaurant, IT London also offers its semi-private dining room at the rear with a dramatic skylight that is perfect for more intimate events whilst upstairs, adding to IT London’s exclusive persona is its membership concept without the need for an actual membership but instead with an alternative concept that is invitation only. With its very own separate entrance and photography ban, this private concept offers all of the desired qualities of a member’s club, with the dishes from its restaurant and cocktails from the bar.

Reflecting the already hugely successful concepts from its establishments in Ibiza and Milan, along with high-quality dining, music is at the core of this new Mayfair restaurant. Transporting its Ibizan energy to Dover Street with smooth daytime beats and as they describe ‘hypnotic evening grooves’ – IT London will also host daily DJ sets with special events from world-renowned DJs.