Jacuzzi: Italian Grandeur on Kensington High Street
Behind its red awnings, Big Mamma’s Kensington restaurant unfolds as a richly decorated palazzo, pairing exuberant interiors with handmade pasta and generous Italian cooking.
At Jacuzzi, the room makes the first impression. Marble, ornate ceilings and Murano lighting establish a grand Italian mood, while greenery and richly coloured seating soften the formality. Upstairs, a Sicilian-inspired mezzanine introduces a brighter atmosphere, with fig trees and handcrafted ceramics from Palermo bringing a different expression of Italy into the building.
Opened in January 2023, Jacuzzi occupies four floors on Kensington High Street. Its designers approached the ground floor as a Venetian palazzo, preserving the original stucco ceiling and adding elegant drapery and decorative lighting. The result is a sequence of spaces with distinct personalities, giving guests more to discover than a single showpiece dining room.
The menu follows Big Mamma’s familiar combination of Italian tradition and playful presentation. Burrata from Puglia appears alongside croquettes filled with slow-cooked veal, while pizzas range from a buffalo mozzarella Margherita to combinations featuring stracciatella, pesto and Taggiasche olives.
Pasta is a central attraction. The restaurant describes a daily production of fresh shapes, including ricotta-filled ravioli and tagliarini with crab and lemon-thyme butter. Mafaldine al tartufo provides the theatrical centrepiece: truffle pasta served in a large Pecorino wheel and finished with Parmigiano Reggiano.
For a different direction, the published selection includes Mediterranean-style cod and a substantial rib-eye intended for sharing. Dessert continues the indulgent theme, with chocolate mousse, praline and toasted hazelnuts among the options.
Jacuzzi’s character comes from the relationship between the room and the table. Both favour abundance, colour and a sense of occasion. For a celebratory dinner or an unhurried Kensington lunch, it offers an Italian setting designed to make the meal feel like an escape.
TREND Magazine | Food & Lifestyle
Address: 94 Kensington High Street, London W8 4SJ
Website: Jacuzzi — Big Mamma