Apero at The Ampersand: bringing a taste of Italy to South Ken
In the heart of South Kensington, just around the corner from the Natural History Museum, lies The Ampersand Hotel, a boutique establishment that fits nicely into the local set of restored Victorian hotels.
Its restaurant, Apero, is tucked away in the basement, but don’t let that put you off: light streams in from the ground floor through large windows, casting a warm glow. It’s a pleasing place to enjoy a drink or two - or something more substantial. A bottomless brunch, for example.
Pranzo della Nonna (“grandmother's lunch”), served each weekend, features a series of sharing menu items based on Italian classics, all of which can be enjoyed with free-flowing Prosecco, Aperol Spritz or Mimosas.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The food didn’t disappoint in terms of either quality or quantity, as round after round arrived. We started with a wide selection of charcuterie and cheese, as well as bruschetta covered in tomato and anchovy and a beautifully sweet, creamy Burrata with honey - and a massive portion of warm focaccia, which was soft and well seasoned. We were halfway full already and the main event was yet to come.
As the drinks kept flowing, we played for time with a wonderful non-alcoholic cocktail, finished with fruit, flowers and candy floss.
Then it was time for more food. An oven-baked Italian sausage dish was missing its eggs, and for our taste could have been bolder with the chilli, but was still thoroughly enjoyable, and the lasagne, though light on meat, was tasty and wonderfully seasoned.
Tiramisu delivered the delightful conclusion. Creamy and full of flavour, it capped off an excellent - and generous - brunch.
Apero at The Ampersand, London SW7, serves Pranzo della Nonna from 11.30am to 2.30pm on Saturdays and Sundays, £22.50 per person or £37.50 with bottomless drinks for two hours
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Diamonds could be a brilliant climate solution
Under the radar A girl and the climate's best friend
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Crossword: November 12, 2024
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sudoku hard: November 12, 2024
The Week's daily hard sudoku puzzle
By The Week Staff Published
-
How London fell back in love with the brasserie
The Blend From Brasserie Zédel to Café François, we sample the best bistros in town
By Charlie Teasdale Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'
The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
By The Week UK Published
-
Kaos review: comic retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum
The Week Recommends The new series captures audiences as it 'never takes itself too seriously'
By The Week UK Published
-
Blink Twice review: a 'stylish and savage' black comedy thriller
The Week Recommends Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie stun in this film on the hedonistic rich directed by Zoë Kravitz
By The Week UK Published
-
Shifters review: 'beautiful' new romantic comedy offers 'bittersweet tenderness'
The Week Recommends The 'inventive, emotionally astute writing' leaves audiences gripped throughout
By The Week UK Published
-
How to do F1: British Grand Prix 2025
The Week Recommends One of the biggest events of the motorsports calendar is back and better than ever
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published