Drop everything and get yourself in London ASAP. Ladies (and gents), this restaurant and it’s counterparts are undoubtedly heaven sent from above.

Three words:

Big MamMa Group.

The thing is, I have a bit of an obsession with any and all types of Italian food. I can’t think of something more comforting than a big bowl of pasta. At least I’m being honest. And these restaurants seriously tick off all of my wants and needs. I’ve now been to both restaurants in London (Circolo Popolare and Gloria respectively) and am patiently waiting to check their Paris, Lille, Madrid and Lyon locations off my list.

Circolo Popolare was the first of the two that I visited and let me just say, WOW. Located literally in the middle of Oxford Circus, the restaurant couldn’t be more central and easily accessible. The second you walk through the door, you’re met with an insanely picturesque landscape of floor to ceiling decorations. The walls are lined with hundreds of bottles of wine, greenery and an overall medertainan aesthetic. The kitchen is somewhat open so you’re able to see the chefs at work. The menu has a decent amount of options, but not an overwhelming amount. It also changes seasonally - but I have yet to be disappointed. For drinks, I stuck to a glass of Rose and house white, which had an average price of around 7 GBP. For dinner I shared an appetizer of a autumn inspired bruschetta (pumpkin, and squash sorta deal) and then had an aubergine pasta for my main dish. My total came out to 30 GBP, which yes I realize is quite a lot for a student out at dinner BUT I still think was reasonable considering the price included two drinks, an appetizer, a dinner and tax/service charge. If I was more conscious, I could’ve left at 12 GBP (the price of my dinner).

Gloria on the other hand was a restaurant I passed nearly once a week last year and always wanted to go into. The exterior is an absolute dream: a yellow corner building, with the most beautiful greenery, and large windows - it seriously brightens up the whole street. Located in the heart of Shoreditch, the restaurant is only a short walk from Old Street Station via the Northern Line. Even though it’s part of the same group, Gloria has a completely different interior, which makes it feel like a whole different experience. My only complaint is that I was seated downstairs, so I missed out on the big windows. The basement has a 70’s style sort of decor going, almost speakeasy like. Lots of velvet, wood paneled walls and mirrored ceilings. The open kitchen reappears in Gloria as well. The drink menu was the same but the food was slightly different. For dinner I had the Pasta Al Tartufo, a “house special fresh mafalda, black Molise truffle, mascarpone, button mushrooms”, which was absolutely to die for and reasonably priced at 18 GBP. For dessert I tried the Hazelnut Gelato and the Nutella Pizza, both so unbelievably tasty. I mean honestly I can’t express how great the quality of food is. This time my bill came out to about the same 30 GBP.

https://www.bigmammagroup.com/en/accueil