The famous Carnivale in Venice, with its fabulous masked balls, is taking place right now. Two Italian restaurants, Sartoria in Mayfair and Zafferano in Belgravia, are bringing a bit of that festive spirit to London.
For the whole month of February, Sartoria will offer two special cocktails: a Rialto Martini (gin, campari and peach purée, £9) and a La Fenice (mixed berries, creme de mure, cranberry juice, prosecco and raspberry-vanilla vodka, £12). There will also be a Venetian-inspired menu available for lunch and dinner. Dishes include marinated anchovies, garlic-and-chile-sautéed baby octopus in served with squid-ink rice and, for dessert, chiacchiere, deep-fried strips of sweet pasta dusted with powdered sugar (two courses for £19.50; three courses for £24.50; 020-7534 7000).
Zafferano is launching a series of small classes (maximum six students) teaching the secrets of Italian cookery at its Deli around the corner. There will be a class on "Carnivale Sweets and Treats" (9th February; 6–10PM) and "Great Italian Desserts" (19th February; 6–10PM). Students will be participating with their hands as well as their mouths as tasting is mandatory (16 Halkin Arcade, Lowndes St., SW1; £125 per person; 020-7838 9995).