"First and foremost, La Maison Ani is pretty. The leafy awning on the terrace is lovely. The powder pink sofas look too delicate to sit on. And even the pyramid of hand towels in the toilet is perfectly symmetrical. Yes, this French spot in Belgravia’s Jumeirah Carlton Tower hotel is aesthetically pleasing. But the food is decent too. Portions of creamy, yet perfectly crisp caesar salad look big enough to be served at a hotel buffet and the big-plate gnocchi is comforting. Although not everything hits, like the bland bolognese. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch video credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch The room, however, is consistently gorgeous. Whether you’re sitting underneath the huge chandelier, or by the bar piled with jarred, pickled vegetables and fresh produce, it feels like you’re on a picture-perfect movie set. One where a table to the right may be complaining that they had to park their G-Wagen across the street, while the other to the left is celebrating a tame tiramisu-filled birthday meal. Food Rundown photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Salade César Caesar salads need the perfect amount of tangy sauce, crispy lettuce, and sharp parmesan. This one has all that—and more importantly it has crunchy, toasted croutons. The beef bacon adds a nice smoky flavour too. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Soupe À L'oignon Gratinée This onion soup lacked the savouriness we like in a French onion soup. Instead the caramelised onions overpower it with sweetness. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Gnocchis À La Burrata Et Sauce Tomate Fraîche We’re fans of this creamy gnocchi. The burrata balances out the rich tomato sauce, and it has an almost béchamel-like texture in some bites. A great sharing plate for a group. Pappardelle À La Bolognaise The beef sauce is a little bland, so we don’t recommend ordering this pasta. photo credit: Aleksandra Boruch Tiramisu This isn’t your classic tiramisu. Instead of ladyfingers there’s a dark fudge brownie underneath a thick layer of cream. While we’re not sure how it would hold up in an Italian court, we thoroughly enjoyed this." - Rianne Shlebak
