Last Updated on November 12, 2025
A Christmas Cracker in Knightsbridge
Christmas is coming but that also means it’s time for the white truffle season which runs from the beginning of October until the end of the year. This is a source of huge excitement for people like me who love the fragrant, earthy aroma of the ‘white gold’, mainly sourced in the Piedmont region of Northern Italy. So, when invited to review the new White Truffle Menu at Harry’s (available now), I didn’t have to think about it for very long.
London boasts three Harry’s restaurants with sites in Knightsbridge, the newest opening in Victoria and Marylebone. But I was reviewing Harry’s Dolce Vita in Knightsbridge on a site that used to be a Café Rouge and just over the road from Harrods. Harry’s is a very different proposition to the cheap and cheerful French brasserie chain with more style, elegance and a more refined food offer.
There is an outdoor terrace perfect for people watching which on a chilly November evening was packed with punters having a good time, so the heating must have been working!
The interior is delightfully old-fashioned, warm and atmospheric. There is dark wood panelling, a parquet floor and a cleverly mirrored ceiling.
With a featured central bar. Italian film publicity shots on the wall (think Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday and Sophia Loren looking ravishing) and a cool jazz soundtrack on the sound system Harry’s oozes the spirit of La Dolce Vita that its name implies even in the chill of a London evening.
The white truffle menu at Harry’s Dolce Vita is small but perfectly formed with two starters and three main dishes. With truffles you want the food to be the support act foregrounding the tantalising taste of everyone’s favourite tuber.
The menu also features four Italian wines for matching. To pair with our starters we had glasses of a Gavi di Gavi, San Silvestro from the Piedmont. It has a fresh minerality and citrus notes. Our starters were simple but high quality. A deliciously creamy burrata from Puglia was accompanied by one of my favourite flatbreads- crisp Carta di Musica from Sardinia.
Each of our dishes was accompanied by the ritual of the maitre d’ shaving tantalising slivers of fresh white truffle over our dishes. The truffles were excellent. Perfumed with the heady fragrance that has made truffles such a luxe ingredient.
The second starter was a fabulous Carpaccio di Manzo. A refined dish of raw slices of top-quality beef with a splash of Harry’s delicious extra virgin olive oil and topped with truffle shavings. It was served with a Rocket and Parmesan salad.
With our mains, we were drinking a velvety Dolcetto d’Alba Prunotto from the Piedmont – full of red fruit and well-balanced tannins. Silky strands of homemade tagliolini blended with a creamy delicate Parmesan, mascarpone and butter sauce created an excellent base for the truffles. The saltiness of the Parmesan in a properly al dente risotto made with carnaroli rice balanced the richness of the truffle very effectively.
Blood orange and lemon sorbets were an obvious choice of dessert for me after the richness of the first two courses. Refreshing and with a hint of acidity and sweetness.
Harry’s Group restaurants deliver on their promise of the Dolce Vita. The white truffle menu elevates the experience into the luxe category. With relaxed but informed service whichever route you go down, you’re going to have a good time. Perfect for shopping trips to Knightsbridge, Harrods and Harvey Nichols, for a family/friends outing, a date or just for a special treat!
Harry’s Dolce Vita
27-31 Basil Street,
Knightsbridge,
SW3 1BB
Harry’s Dolce Vita Marylebone,
James Street,
London, UK
Harry’s Victoria
52 Grosvenor Gardens,
London, UK
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