Daphne's

You'll walk into Daphne's and immediately understand why it's been a Chelsea institution since 1964. The room has that particular kind of polish that comes from decades of doing things properly—crisp white tablecloths, impeccable service, and a clientele that ranges from hedge fund types to the occasional recognisable face. It's not trying to be cool; it simply is. The Italian cooking is classically executed without pretension: fresh pasta that actually tastes like something, risottos that aren't mucked about with, decent wine poured by people who know what they're doing. This is the sort of place you book when you want to impress someone or settle in for a proper meal with friends. It's expensive, yes, but the standard doesn't wobble.