The Franklin is in the heart of Knightsbridge, but tucked away to make it feel like an exclusive private club. The striking and stylish interiors are by Anouska Hempel; it’s a very chic, elegant and decadent gourmet retreat. A quintessentially British townhouse setting, fused with Italian hospitality and a menu curated by Michelin accredited chef Alfredo Russo, results in a very special fine dining experience.
The menu at The Franklin Restaurant demonstrates Russo’s bold approach to Italian cuisine, nurturing his Piedmont roots, whilst mastering a unique delivery of lightness. You will recognise many traditional classic Italian ingredients and dishes but they are executed with innovation and presented beautifully.
We found it difficult to decide what to eat, so we took the very friendly advice from our waiter, who looked afrer us with impressive care and attention. He also helped us pair the right wine with each dish, the wines were Italian and the selection was just right. I started with a tomato, aubergine and parmesan salad that just melted in my mouth. Every bite and dish we had was absolutely delicious and the portions were certainly more reasonable than what you might expect with an Italian restaurant. I found this refreshing but it did mean I managed to find space for a dessert…I had the chestnut cake with marscapone cream.
Launched in October 2019 a new menu introduces a selection of new dishes curated by Russo and his team. Joining the restaurant’s signature classics, diners can expect to savour dishes including: A majestic bronze, silver and gold gilded potato gnocchi with toma, gorgonzola, parmesan and taleggio cheese; sliced tuna fillet served with fennel and peeled orange; poached black cod with vegetable caponata blushed with tomatoes, olives and capers; slow cooked guinea fowl, squash and chestnut; and warm chestnut cake, served with mascarpone cream.
Some of Chef Russo’s signature dishes include: Slow cooked octopus, Piedmont potato foam, capers and iced olive powder; Vegetable soup by Alfredo Russo made with over 18 seasonal vegetables; hen tortelli, parmesan fondue and lime zest, braised veal served with green beans, peas and fresh broad beans.
The decor as you can imagine with Anouska Hemple in charge is classic, polished and sophisticated. Once you enter the hotel you feel like you have stepped into a very tranquil part of London that you want to have as your own secret hideaway. The small bar has the kind of charming barman who talks you into a lovely cocktail that feels tailor made for you. It’s a cosy bar you could happily sit at after dinner or pop in for a Moscow Mule. As we left after a lovely evening we said it feels like a place that you could have a discreet encounter in, we are not saying you should have an affair of course, but if you were perhaps asking for a friend…this would be the place.
The Franklin Restaurant by Alfredo Russo at 24 Egerton Gardens, Knightsbridge is open Mon-Saturday 7am-10.15pm and Sunday 7am-5.30pm. There is also a recently launched beautiful afternoon tea ‘Wonderful Treats’ in line with Tim Walker’s Wonderful Things exhibition at the V&A.