Maia Restaurant Review: A Slice of Italian Heaven in Knightsbridge

Everyone loves Italian food, right? It’s definitely my go-to comfort food when I’m feeling sorry for myself, it good value for money when your out and about and when we’re at home – it’s the easiest to throw together. Although if I’m behind the cooker, it probably means it won’t taste very good. That said, I’m always on the hunt for a new Italian restaurant. Homemade, messy, rich – it’s got to have all of that, plus I want a lot of personality from it. Luckily, you’ll be glad to know I recently stumbled across Maia in Knightsbridge which opened last year, right next to Harrods.

Inside, it’s light and airy by day, serving afternoon tea, cakes and carefully crafted light bites – but by night is when it really comes alive. Soft sounds from a live DJ, fantastic cocktails which have been crafted by none other than Richard Woods and a food menu by Michelin-trained Head Chef Mauro di Leo which is ridiculously delicious. I only wish they’d change that website which gives me a hangover more than the one too many cocktails I consumed on the night. It’s very confusing. Start with a cocktail when you arrive and if you’re not in a rush, order a couple more because they’re great.

To kick off out meal here at Maia we tucked into those refreshing cocktails which whisked me away somewhere warmer, if only for a few minutes and an antipasti platter which transported me straight to Italy. There was some really lovely cheese and hams on this little platter to share and I can already picture myself returning for it on the outdoor seating area, sipping on a few too many glasses of wine whilst watching the Harrods shoppers pass by.

Even the bread selection was good, especially the foccacia which we kept as much of it back as possible to mop up our pasta sauces which we would shortly discover were stunning. There was also two different olive oils on the table, both are well worth trying if you visit.

The burrata they serve here is a thing of beauty and I’m told the reason for that is they fly this stuff fresh back from Italy a few times a week. The case on it explodes the moment your fork gets anywhere near it and inside is as gooey and juicy as could possibly be – packed with flavour. The gargantuan amount of datterino tomatoes underneath were lovely too and so was the dressing, though perhaps it’s rather high price point might put some diners off (£17) as it puts it above most dishes on the menu.

If there was one dish not to be missed, it’s the cacio e pepe. Home-made pasta, cooked perfectly al dente and then smothered in melted Pecorino Romano & a generous helping of good quality pepper. I’ve had this dish so many times in London over the past couple of years and I honestly think this was my favourite to date. It was so well cooked, incredibly indulgent and will spend a lifetime on the hips – but it’s worth every bite. When I come back to Maia, I’m ordering this.

Another dish I thought was absolutely beautiful was the saffron risotto topped with slow cooked cheek. Like the cacio e pepe it was incredibly rich and very generous portion wise, but it might well be one of the best things you eat all year. It’s all about the pasta and risotto here at Maia and the kitchen clearly knows exactly how to handle it. That risotto couldn’t have been cooked more perfectly if they tried, the saffron was just the right amount and the seasoning of it all was spot on. The slow cooked beef cheeks were again so perfectly cooked and I dare to think how long they had been cooking because they were so soft and the intensity of flavour running through them was simply stunning.

Make sure you save room for dessert because they’re sensational. We both enjoyed a tiramisu which we shared (as we were rather full) and it was perfectly constructed. The layers were of the right thickness, the cream was rich and firm and the espresso soaking was balanced, not too bitter and not too strong – but with a good bite. We also took home a couple of cakes which we tucked into the next day, it was then we realised whoever is creating these in the kitchen really needs to be showed off more – because I’m certain you won’t find better elsewhere in the area.

To finish our evening, an expertly crafted Espresso Martini which went down an absolute treat to compliment what was a really lovely meal. I didn’t quite know what to expect from Maia prior to visiting, but I was pleasantly surprised throughout the meal. A lot of places open within just a stones throw from Harrods these days and leave not a lot to the imagination, but Maia feels like a lot of thought has gone into it and the cooking really shows. The freshly made pasta is exquisite, the cocktails are delicious and desserts will keep you coming back for more. My only negative about Maia is its website which may leave some people confused. Would we come back? Absolutely!