Mr Randall runs a tight ship at Theo Randall at the InterContinental. Vicky Mayer heads to Mayfair for some knock-out Italian dishes

Making a plan to meet your mates at London’s latest foodie favourites is easy. What’s more difficult is finding a place to suit your relatives who may not see the attraction of schlepping out to the wilds of Hackney in search of a vegan dirty burger.

Thanks heavens then for Theo Randall at the InterContinental, the perfect restaurant for picky guests in the perfect location right on the corner of Park Lane and Piccadilly.

Here, the delightfully affable Mr Randall runs a tight ship, producing knock-out Italian dishes seven days a week. In a tastefully decorated open-plan dining room that has plenty of space between the tables, he and his team offer a wide-ranging Italian menu with something for even the trickiest of eaters.

On the night I visited with my sister the restaurant was really buzzing but the staff still managed to make us feel as if we were special guests. I had been warned by colleagues who had eaten here before that the portions were very generous so together with a couple of glasses of prosecco, we shared a large plate of super creamy burrata with red peppers, chard and olives, that was more than enough for two.

Theo Randall at the InterContinental has an easy elegance with a polished service and attention to detail that will really impress guests from out of town

Italian-style eating favours four to five courses and if that’s your style there’s plenty on the menu but we dived straight into our main courses – a decadent lobster and linguine dish and super tasty roasted bream with sautéed potatoes. We left our wine choices to the clued-up sommelier who really knew his stuff. Other must-try dishes include the signature steak and liver with sage.

If desserts are your thing, don’t miss Theo’s signature pudding, the Amalfi Lemon tart. It’s sweet, sharp, gooey and totally moreish – definitely one not to share!

Theo Randall at the InterContinental has an easy elegance with a polished service and attention to detail that will really impress guests from out of town. It’s a pretty cool place to go for a first date too (though obviously steer clear of the spaghetti if you’re hoping for a second date).

What’s more, if you stick to the set menu at £35 for three courses together with a glass of prosecco, it will give you and your guests a real touch of affordable luxury in W1.

Theo Randall at the InterContinental, 1 Hamilton Place, Mayfair W1J 7QY; theorandall.com