A city like London is famous for its particular restaurants, but this new location, which opened its doors at the end of 2019, is amazing!

What is this about?! Listen a little… a church, the St Mark’s, set between two large palaces was built in 1820, became the unofficial American church during World War II, fell out of use in the 1970s. It was deconsecrated in 1973 and it’s a a building of great historical importance, as classified as Grade I as Buckingham Palace. It has been closed to the public for decades, but has recently been restored thanks to a £5 million operation. The idea was born to create aggregation, restoring to the church its original function. The common area is used by residents and local associations for community events, workshops, and cooking classes but also to taste the specialties proposed.

This initiative is part of a project born in Milan in 2015 during the expo and now expanding in London. A formula already successfully tested with the previous ‘Metropolitan Market’ in the district of Elephant and Castle: a kind of good international restaurant but also beautiful. The Mercato Mayfair is spread over four floors. On the ground floor, in the main nave, and on the first floor of the beautiful deconsecrated church with stained glass windows, high and rigorous Anglican Gothic style there are various corners where you can find delights of all kinds. Mostly Italian specialties, such as fresh pasta, pizza, artisan ice cream, selected coffee, but also Turkish, Middle Eastern and Lebanese dishes, all at affordable prices and the products are fresh and artisanal. Going down to the crypt you can admire a beautiful cellar with vaulted ceiling, where there is a good selection of wines, to be tasted with meats and cheeses worthy of note, surrounded by a very pleasant environment. The building also has a beautiful roof terrace, from where you can admire a characteristic city panorama. At the entrance there is a space dedicated to the sale of fresh Italian products, including natural leavening bread and high quality oil. Everything is enriched by following a sustainable economic model. Even the setting is simple but very nice, made of colorful chairs and coffee tables, with the use of recyclable and recycled materials.

Now I’ll tell you about my experience: on a magical winter day, starting from Ealing Broadway I took the Central Line to Marble Arch. After visiting and admiring the beauty of the structure, I also stopped for lunch. It is a strange effect to enter the church and instead of the two side aisles find various kiosks that sell food and instead of the benches have tables to eat, the atmosphere is very pleasant. I chose one of the Italian corners that proposed a good choice of types of pasta and sauces to match. As an Italian I am, I wanted to try a plate of gnocchi with tomato, test difficult to pass! The result was a success, both in terms of taste and economy, cost £8. Another positive note was sustainability, with the use of plates and cutlery not plastic. So if you’re around, I suggest you take a stroll, just to see the location or have a coffee.