A GENTLE rain settles over Marylebone as we step inside Carlotta, escaping the city’s cool evening for its inviting warmth. Inside, the space feels lively, intimate, and softly glows. The air hums with the soft buzz of conversation and that unmistakable Italian charm. From our central booth, perfectly placed in the heart of the room, we are drawn into the blend of indulgence and theatre – a signature for Big Mamma trattoria’s.
We’re sat amongst floor length mirrors and soft mood lighting, with vintage Italian photos that decorate the walls. Service here is as spirited as the atmosphere. Staff glide between tables with effortless enthusiasm, generous with both smiles and recommendations. There’s a rhythm to the evening that feels instinctive, unhurried, almost cinematic.
Carlotta Exterior – (Credit Jerome Galland)
Carlotta Bar (Credit – Jerome Galland)
We begin with cocktails: a Brooklyn Sour for me, bourbon-forward and delicately balanced, while the rest of the table opts for the Full Bloom Negroni, a fragrant and floral interpretation of the classic. A sommelier-recommended red wine follows soon after, smooth and rounded, the ideal pairing for the meal to come.
The menu blends Neapolitan and Sicilian tradition with an Italian-American spirit. Dishes are rich, bold, and deeply comforting. Starters arrive like a colourful parade: a glossy Burrata al Pistacchio draped in emerald pesto and dotted with sweet cherry tomatoes; House Veal Tartare, elegantly seasoned and crowned with a soft quail’s egg; a Carpaccino di Manzo al Tartufo, piccolo beef carpaccio with Parmigiano Reggiano finished with homemade mayonnaise and truffle; and a bright, zesty Octopus Salad that refreshes the palate.
Carlotta Ground Floor (Credit Jerome Galland)
Burrata Di Puglia (Credit Sam Harris)
For mains, the Tagliata di Manzo, a grilled Bavette steak, is rich and tender; the Cod, pan-fried and paired with smoky leeks in a silky white wine sauce, delicate and refined. But the dish that commands the table is the Lobster Spaghetti, generous, aromatic and unapologetically indulgent. It’s the kind of plate that silences conversation and lingers long after the last bite.
Dessert arrives as a gentle close to the evening: the Il Tiramisu, feather-light yet deeply satisfying, and the Coppa di Fragole con Panna, British strawberries in a spiced jus with clouds of vanilla cream. Both are as beautiful as they are comforting, a fitting end to a meal rooted in pleasure.
Pasta Spread (Credit Sam Harris)
Summer Berries with Cream (Credit Sam Harris)
Carlotta captures everything Big Mamma does best, a celebration of food, an insistence on pleasure, and an atmosphere that glows with joy. It’s a restaurant built for nights like this when it’s raining outside, and inside, everything glows.
by Vivian Hui
77-78 Marylebone High Street, W1U
To make a reservation, visit here