'I've been coming to Ziani since it opened 18 years ago. Roberto, the owner, has seen me and my family grow up and develop our little niches. He's witnessed my father and I having serious discussions about my future before I was settled as a model, make-up artist and beauty writer. I left school young, at 16, because I thought that I was going to be a professional horse rider. I was on the English team and then suddenly I decided to give up. It took a few years to find make-up.
Make-up is my passion. I like making people look really beautiful. It's all about skin. I don't do all that funky stuff, I like the natural look. Some people use faces as a canvas. I see a face and I want to make it as beautiful as I can. I started doing a course about five years ago. Then I assisted one of the best make-up artists in the world, Mary Greenwell. I've been working with fantastic photographers and travelling the world and doing catwalk shows. I love doing celebrities and royalty (I'm not allowed to say who).
I just love it at Ziani, but I try not to go too often because I want to keep it for special occasions. I would never bring boyfriends here, it's very family orientated. My mum and dad live between Barbados and New York so I don't see them much because my sister Jodi, my brother Jack and I are all very busy. Whenever my parents come to England, we meet at Ziani where we sometimes have a good old family argument.
The decor is very light, clean looking, simple and it's not big so it doesn't get too noisy.They make the best zucchini fritters, the spinach here is fantastic and the fish. I couldn't comment on the pasta because I haven't eaten wheat for four years. It makes me feel sluggish and bloated so I certainly don't miss it.
I'm not really stringent about my diet. In the morning I have yoghurt and seeds. They're full of omega oils. I don't drink spirits but I love a glass of full-bodied red wine. I might drink a glass of champagne if I'm out, but I'm quite sensitive to alcohol. It enhances whatever mood I'm in, so if I'm feeling down I try to avoid it. I don't drink caffeine, I never have. I'm quite sensitive to stimulants, I get really wired. I suppose I'm healthy in a funny kind of way. My main vice is that I smoke four cigarettes a day.
I grew up in Chelsea and I live here now. I did the whole 'I'm going to live in Notting Hill' thing, so I moved there for about 10 years, but I missed Chelsea. It's familiar. I walk down the street and I know people on the flower stall. Notting Hill is all trendy and you've got the council lot and the smart lot but I felt scared at night walking home alone. It's quiet and clean here.
When I was living in the country, while I was horse riding, I used to cook a lot more. Now the kitchen in my flat isn't big enough to inspire me to cook so I'm a restaurant person. I like not having to worry about the washing up and going to the supermarket. I've got fantastic restaurants two seconds away from my house and I just find it easier to nip downstairs. Anyway, you can go to local restaurants and have one course and it practically costs the same! Even though I'm a great supporter of Marco Pierre White, Ziani is my favourite. Eating here is a rare and savoured treat.'
Ziani
45-47 Radnor Walk, London Sw3
History
The owner of Ziani, Roberto Colussi, has worked in the restaurant business since he was 16. At 18 he travelled from his home town Venice, to London to learn English and stayed here ever since claiming 'I got stuck on all the English girls. It was the Sixties, you know...'. Roberto opened Ziani in 1984 and since then he has taken over the famous Como Lario and recently, Carpaccio, both in South West London
House specialities
Deep fried mozzarella with spicy tomato sauce £4.50
Tagliatelle with wild mushrooms, courgettes, truffle oil and saffron £8
Fish soup £12.50
Tiramisu £4
Sunday lunch menu: £13.50 for three courses
Celebrities
Recently Jasper Conran, Chris Smith, Sean Connery, Christian Slater, Pierce Brosnan with his family, Dustin Hoffman (who loved the pasta) and Jason Donovan
Opens
Seven days a week
Monday to Saturday from 12 noon to 2.45pm; 7pm to 11.30pm
Sunday from 12noon to 3.15pm; 7pm to 10.30pm
To book
Tel: 0207 351 5297
