Raw beef sliced thin and laid flat across the plate, shaved black truffle, curls of Grana Padano, artichoke and a spoon of aioli. ALBA's Beef Carpaccio is made to share: the plate that opens a dinner at this Amalfi-inspired Italian restaurant in Knightsbridge.
Carpaccio, Done Simply
Carpaccio is raw beef cut thin enough to see the plate through, dressed and served cold. It began in Venice in the middle of the last century and has been on Italian menus ever since. Done well, it is a dish of restraint. Nothing is cooked, so the beef, the knife and what goes on top do all the work, and there is nowhere for a short cut to hide.
What Goes Into It
Four things sit on the beef and nothing else. Black truffle, shaved over the top, brings earth and depth. Grana Padano, in thin curls, brings salt and age against it. Artichoke gives the plate bite and a little bitterness. Aioli, a garlic mayonnaise, ties the four together and gives the beef something to be dragged through. The beef is sliced to order at the pass, so it arrives at its best.
Black truffle runs through the menu here, from the ALBA Tagliatelle to this plate, and from early October the white Alba truffle joins it.
A Plate to Share
The carpaccio comes as one plate for the table. Order it for two to open the evening, or as part of a spread with the raw bar: oysters, the tuna tartare, the pink prawn carpaccio, passed around while the table settles in. It holds the place among the starters that ALBA's beef tartare held until it left the menu. A glass of white or a lighter red from the cellar is the natural partner; the truffle and the Grana Padano will carry either. The Fiorentina, further down the meat side of the menu, is where the evening can go next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Beef Carpaccio?
Raw beef sliced very thin, dressed and served cold. At ALBA it comes with black truffle, Grana Padano, artichoke and aioli.
Is the Beef Raw?
Yes. Carpaccio is a raw preparation. The beef is sliced to order rather than cooked, so its freshness and texture carry the dish.
Is ALBA's Beef Carpaccio a Starter or a Main?
A starter, served as a plate to share. Order it for two or more to open the meal.
What Comes With ALBA's Beef Carpaccio?
Shaved black truffle, curls of Grana Padano, artichoke and aioli, on one plate for the table.
Where Can I Order Beef Carpaccio in Knightsbridge?
At ALBA London, 70 Brompton Road, directly opposite Harrods. Check the current menu or ask when you book.
