Avista

Awarded two AA Rosettes for its excellent cuisine, Avista is a new Italian restaurant at 39 Grosvenor Square in Mayfair. The head chef of Avista is Michele Granziera, previously Andy Needham's deputy at Zafferano for the past six years. On the former site of Brian Turner Mayfair, Avista is directly accessible from Grosvenor Square. The 75-seat restaurant, with a separate bar for up to 25, also features a raised section seating 14 and a private dining room for 8. Avista was designed by David d'Almada, whose other restaurant projects have included La Petite Maison and Zafferano. Avista is open Monday to Friday for lunch and Monday to Saturday evening for dinner. Michele Granziera's menus encompass both traditional, rustic food and more modern cooking. There are numerous sharing dishes, and particular specialities include Tagliolini with crab, courgettes, chilli and garlic, and Slow Cooked Pork Cheek with mash potatoes, spinach and red wine sauce and Mezzelune filled with aubergine, mozzarella, oregano and tomato coulis. A good range of pasta is available, in addition to regional favourites from Granziera's home region of Veneto, whilst the well-priced 150-bin wine list offers a selection of French and New World wines alongside a huge range of Italian options.