Menu:
Tomatoes - or pomodoros, the restaurant's icon from which it derives its name - are the letimotif of the menu and the main condiment, signature tomato sauce marinated in extra virgin oil.
The menu - like in Italian restaurants - is divided into four main identified courses - antipasti (starters); primi piatti (first course); secondi piattti (second course); and dolce (desserts). But what probably makes the restaurant stand out are its subtle flavours and the pristineness of it cooking, reflected in the broccoli starter (Tortino di broccoli), its pastas or in main courses like the Fileto di branzino alla aqua pazza, more simply a filet of sea bass, cherry tomatoes , oregano, garlic white wine served with mixed vegetables.
The pizzas - Italy's most successful export - come with interesting endorsements and recommendations. For example, Verdure is Sophia Loren`s favourite made of mozzarella cheese, tomato sauce, bell pepper, zucchini, mushroom, onion, jalapeno and Pesto is Sharon Stone's choice, with mozzarella, tomato sauce, pesto, goat cheese, asparagus.
The only Indian celebrity with an endorsement is Jackie Shroff, a possible visitor to the London outlet, who recommends the Pizza all Ortolana made of fresh bocconcini, tomato sauce, pesto, asparagus, bell pepper, jalapeno and onions with fresh red chili.
The dolce to die for are the panna cotta, cooked cream topped with lemon sauce, and, of course, the signature Italian pudding Tiramisu made of biscuit fingers soaked in espresso coffee with mascarpone cheese and cocoa powder.
It's a culinary journey that began decades ago in Rome.
"While I was studying, I trained as a pastry chef and later opened a bar in Rome," says Orsini.
"In 1974 I came to London and opened a select delicatessen in Parsons Green, New King's Road. My mother, Antonietta, cooked for customers (including actor Stewart Grainger). Then in 1978 I opened the restaurant in Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge."
There are now Ciro's Pomodoro restaurants in Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait as well as in Los Angeles, Kiev, Al-Khobar, Riga, and even in Lahore in neighbouring Pakistan.
