Chef Michelino's Star Turn

Tuscany graces W1 for a week-long culinary residency

As Round 1 of London Fashion Week kicks off in February, Mayfair will play host to Michelino Gioia, the Michelin star head chef of Hotel Il Pellicano fame.

Known for his expertise with scorpion fish and squid, Gioia will be focusing on an early spring menu, featuring giant ravioli with sage, seafood risotto and endive-stuffed turbot, and of course the statutory asparagus cream and black truffle of the season.

As well as traditional Tuscan fare, there's some hope he'll bring to Claridge's at least a lungful of the rosemary-scented air of the Monte Argentario promontory, the final resting place of Caravaggio.

And to drink? Pellicano bartender Federico Morosi has promised his signature negroni and martini, as well as the Dana Patsy spritzer, named after one of the hotel's founders, who counted Charlie Chaplin among her friends.

Claridge's lends itself to the elegant dress code of Il Pellicano, although I suspect there will be fewer sarongs on show in February (excepting the cashmere variety).

Who can say what the eventual sartorial choices of SS25 might be? One thing seems certain though, which is that this Mayfair pelican crossing will be far from pedestrian.

Make a reservation here:

https://www.claridges.co.uk/restaurants-bars/claridges-restaurant/