San Carlo - Manchester

You'll know you've arrived when you clock the queue of Range Rovers outside and the unmistakable buzz of serious money being spent on serious pasta. This is Manchester's premier see-and-be-seen Italian, where the lighting is forgiving, the portions are generous, and your neighbouring table might just be discussing transfer fees rather than mortgage rates. The food matches the theatre – this isn't your neighbourhood trattoria serving up basic carbonara. Think truffle-heavy dishes, impeccable seafood, and wine prices that make you grateful for expense accounts. The service moves with the precision of a well-oiled machine, because frankly, they need to when half the Premier League has bookings. Yes, you're paying for the postcode and the people-watching, but the osso buco genuinely delivers.