Last updated: January 08, 2025
In an enviable location just off Oxford Street, LAVO London at The BoTree Hotel has been on the must-visit list ever since I saw an online image of the spectacular dining room and its Tuscan style interiors complete with indoor olive tree!
Having made waves in LA, LAVO’s chic coastal vibes concept combined with Italian elegance provide a welcome addition on the foodie scene and I love that it’s a definite destination restaurant in its own right – despite being part of the hotel.
Embracing Dry January, LAVO isn’t just one of the coolest spots to start off 2025, it’s also the place to cosy up on the Winter Terrace, take in the heat courtesy of the fireplace and blankets and enjoy signature low and no alcohol specials. From the Negroni Pecccolino (Smiling Wolf non-alcoholic functional gin and aperitivo), to Pineapple Tommy’s and even Smoked Old Fashioneds, you can enjoy these zero per cent drinks until 31st January priced at £15 each.
Opting for the indoor stylish mezzanine bar area for a swift after-dinner drink when we visited, we were then led downstairs into the beautiful LAVO dining room and were blown away by the décor as soon as we sat down. It’s fair to say no expense has been spared with an opulent feel to the furnishings and of course the feature wall and stunning tree lit up by magical lights transported us straight to Italy.
The culinary journey began well with two expertly crafted cocktails. The AVO-Lini is made with Belvedere vodka, pomelo, peach, lime, aloe vera, and raspberry and hibiscus caviar. With the amount of different ingredients in this one martini glass, it’s fair to say this was the ultimate in fruity, floral cocktails with a refreshing zing. Meanwhile, the Two Sips Martini delivered a good intoxicating hit of Grey Goose while Bergamot Eau-De-Vie provided citrus and a hint of Earl Grey for balance and depth. We sipped on our delicious drinks while crunching our way through a colourful plate of crudites.
Beef carpaccio arrived next – a plateful of prettily placed paper-thin slices of tender beef which melted in the mouth, lifted by nutty Parmigiano Reggiano, peppery rocket and earthy black truffle with finely sliced mushrooms. Yellowfin tuna tartare was another great choice – a layered tower of sweet and silky tuna on a bed of smooth, luxurious avo and the contrasting salt and fish from the anchovy-rich Taggiasca olive dressing.
My friend Victoria had eaten at LAVO before and had been raving about the gluten-free pasta that the restaurant offers. Opting for the penne alla vodka, the dish arrived with a big serving of pasta and plenty of sauce. Fresh creamy tomato with a hint of spice looked (and tasted) luxurious, while the salty crisp prosciutto added texture.
Torn between the seabass and sole, I deliberated for some time but settled on the Mediterranean seabass. Rare for a fancy restaurant, I found the portion sizes huge and despite its chunkiness, the delicate fish flaked beautifully, elevated by the Sorrento lemon vinaigrette. Fennel meanwhile brought with it a hit of aniseed and herbaceous notes from the parsley were the perfect accompaniment.
Too full for dessert, I couldn’t resist one last drink and my Smoked Old Fashioned was poured at the table from a fancy decanter, smoke swirling around the glass for added theatre which dissipated when it hit the gigantic cube of ice.
There are so many London restaurants out there that have incredible interiors, but the food just doesn’t live up to the hype. However, at LAVO, the food really is something special, plus of course you get the aesthetic to match. The staff I have to add were brilliant – funny, charming, genuine – it all adds up to an excellent dining experience.
Whether it’s weekend brunch, dinner with cocktails, a celebration or just an after-dinner bite to eat because you want to dine in a stunning restaurant, my Italian love affair with LAVO London is well and truly real!
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