Jacuzzi restaurant: a slice of Italy on High Street Kensington

This week we visited Jacuzzi, an Italian restaurant from the Paris-based Big Mamma group’s Italian restaurants. They have established themselves in some of London’s most esteemed neighbourhoods (Fitzrovia, Covent Garden, Marylebone and this year in Canary Wharf) each one with its own vibrant, whimsical identity and design. The chef of each restaurant is given creative license to put their unique stamp on the menu with Jacuzzi currently featuring several new summer additions.

As with most of the Big Mamma restaurants, the first impression is a lively cacophony - a sensory overload with an underlying promise of good times and a touch of theatre. Jacuzzi occupies a prime location on High Street Kensington, housed in a four-story building. Despite only opening in early 2023 it already feels like this decadent Italian “villa of worldly pleasures” has always belonged here.

Jacuzzi Resturant, Kensington. Image credit Nacho Rivera

Now that I have visited, I find myself trying to figure out why it’s called Jacuzzi. I suppose a jacuzzi does nothing but bring pleasure and perhaps that is the aim here. Set over three floors, each brings it’s own ambiance – a grand dining hall on the ground floor centred around a giant lemon tree beneath glamourous Murano glass chandeliers, and lush red velvet banquette seating. Backlit steps lead to a plant-filled garden room or Terrazza with balcony-style alcoves, cane furniture, mosaic-topped tables, Sicilian ceramics, lemon-covered décor, a central marble bar and complete with a retractable glass roof for al fresco dining. They have achieved an authentic rustic charm here that’s hard to replicate

Jacuzzi Resturant, Kensington. Image credit Nacho Rivera

The top floor (perhaps a nod to “Jacuzzi”) is decorated with framed Versace sandal slides and a selection of Italian budgie smugglers (I lived in Australia way too long, - I don’t even know what else to call them anymore).

We began with two non-alcoholic cocktails. My “Coco Loco” (Coconut cream, orange and pineapple juice – a virgin piña colada of sorts) was served in a Sicilian Moor head vessel.Despite being filled to the brim with ice I appreciated its size, as nothing frustrates me more than a cocktail practically disappearing within three sips, which seems to happen a lot in London. The portion was generous. This was similarly the case with my dining partner’s “Amor Picante”, a spicy mix of honey, a spicy mixture of ginger, chilli, lemon juice, passion fruit and Fever Tree ginger ale. Glancing at the wine list, I noticed it is refreshingly an entirely Italian affair. Add in the Italian waiters who bring main character energy, you could soon forget you are in London. Put on a white linen outfit and you are practically on the set of White Lotus in Taormina.

Jacuzzi Resturant, Kensington. Image credit Nacho Rivera

With the full calorie counts listed for every dish on the menu we were quite flustered deciding what to order. One minute deciding to behave, and choosing one low calorie dish over another and the next seeing the Mafaldine with creamy truffle sauce and throwing caution to the wind. It is after all the “get your camera out” dish as they prepare it swirling in a pecorinowheel table side.

We began by ordering the Ricotta di Bufala e Zucchini, the ricotta was whipped to a light perfection and drizzled with good quality olive oil, topped with grilled zucchini and pine nuts. A delightfully simple dish giving immense pleasure. The “Vitello Tonnato” version here deserves a round of applause - reimagined as a tartare, finely chopped with shallots and capers, topped with a soft-boiled quail egg and accompanying sourdough crostini to scoop it up, a dish I would cross town for. Both were large portions and ideal for sharing.

Jacuzzi restaurant. Image credit MTotoe

We also enjoyed their vegetarian options, including grilled aubergine with stracciatella and a classic humble Panzanella tomato salad, a dish deeply rooted in rural Italy, and a way to use stale bread. If stale bread is used it is important it softens through soaking up the juices of the tomatoes, cucumber, vinegar and oil. Alternatively, you can elevate it by saving the stale bread by crisping or frying. Their version had crunch which we both preferred.

For a meatier main, the summer menu introduces the “Cotoletta Alla Milanese” for two, a rosé veal escalope coated in crunchy breadcrumbs and fried, served with fresh radicchio- I’ll be bringing my husband back for that one! Alternatively, I tried the Tagliata Rib Eye cooked perfectly medium-rare, beautifully sliced and served with a choice of sauce; provolone cheese, green peppercorn or salsa verde. And if it’s just a pizza you want- they’ve got you.

Jacuzzi restaurant. Image credit MTotoe.

With their website stating “And for dessert? You can't beat our rich chocolate mousse, served tableside - it'll be sure to win your heart.”  I was ready to be won over by the “Chocolate mousse with hazelnut praline, flor di sale, roasted hazelnuts”. It was, unfortunately, my only disappointment. One - because there was no hazelnut in sight, neither praline-wise or roasted. Two - it had a faint coffee taste, which I personally don’t enjoy in desserts. I wouldn’t have ordered it had I known. Three- on their website this is a dish to be scooped and served table side, this did not happen. Four - it was already too sweet in my opinion, yet there was a drizzle of caramel on top. My goodness! Don’t I sound like quite the moaner…but this all turned around with the stunning dessert of Meringue, Vanilla Chantilly, red fruit compote, fresh berries and coulis. The coulis is dramatically drizzled at the table over the pyramid of unctuous layers. Every berry perfectly ripe and sweet. The taste was sensational, the acidic touches such as the slightly citrus addition to the berry coulis and a very light dusting of zest ensured a perfect end to our meal.

Chocolate mousse with hazelnut praline Jacuzzi restaurant, Kensington. Image credit Sam Harris. 

Some online reviews remark on the price, but I would say you get your money’s worth. Portions have the generosity of an Italian mamma feeding you. And for a large 170-seat restaurant the layout allows enough space between tables where you can have a private conversation if you need to. Hidden tables in cosy corners are there to avoid any Cold Play concert style embarrassment.

The setting at Jacuzzi invites celebration no matter the day of the week.  During our late afternoon lunch, we sang Happy Birthday twice. It’s a place suited for all occasions, from romantic date nights to lively family meals and catch-ups with friends or a business lunch. The service is warm, the portions are generous, and the atmosphere feels like a sun-drenched Italian holiday in the heart of London, and honestly, who doesn't need that right now?!

Location: 94 High Street Kensington, London W8 4SG.  Website: bigmaammagroup.com Instagram: @bigmamma.uk 

Review by Natascha Milsom