Monica Bellucci's My London

Actress Monica Bellucci prefers diamonds, eats spaghetti schillaci at San Lorenzo and buys her daughter's toys in Chiswick...

Home is
London, Paris, Rome and Brazil.

Where do you live in London?
Off the King's Road.

What was the last play you saw?
Enron with Sam West at the Royal Court Theatre.

What advice would you give a tourist?
How much time do you have? For starters I'd tell them to spend some time walking around the British Museum, the Great Court designed by Norman Foster is stunning.

Which London shops do you rely on?
Bottega Del San Lorenzo on Beauchamp Place for my Italian groceries; I love Graham and Greene for small trinkets; Allegra Hicks on Elizabeth Street, SW1, for clothes and elegant accessories. McKinney & Co in Battersea did all my curtains and curtain poles, I rely on them for accessories like door knobs, or twisted polished nickel and glass coat hooks. Eco Age in Chiswick, for everything ethical and sustainable; everything is beautifully designed, from clothes to children's toys and wonderful presents.

What's the best meal you've had in London?
I love the spaghetti Schillaci at San Lorenzo.

What's your earliest London memory?
The first time I was in London, I went to an English greasy spoon to get some breakfast and realised that all the waiters were speaking Italian. That's when it hit me what an international city this is.

What is your guilty pleasure?
Milk chocolate with almonds.

What would you do as Mayor for the day?
I would reopen the entry up to Hyde Park at the top of Sloane Street. Why on earth did they close it?

What's your life philosophy?
Let it go.

What animal would you most like to be and why?
A cat, for its independence.

What was the last music you downloaded?
Sade's Soldier of Love, and Seu Jorge's latest single, 'Pessoal Particular'.

What are you up to at the moment?
I recently wrapped Larysa Kondracki's The Whistleblower with Rachel Weisz and Vanessa Redgrave, and The Sorcerer's Apprentice with Nicolas Cage. I will be shooting Philippe Garrel's latest film this summer. Most importantly, I am expecting my second child.

Which is your favourite street for shopping?
Marylebone High Street for the atmosphere and proximity to Regent's Park. Sloane Street is close to my home and has Dior and Dolce & Gabbana, which I love very much, and also Roger Vivier.

Who's your hero?
Rita Levi-Montalcini, the oldest living Nobel laureate, is an incredible woman and a talented scientist who's made her mark in a masculine world.

What do you most like wearing?
When I'm relaxed, jeans and a shirt are my uniform.

Where's the most romantic place in London?
I love Shepherd Market in Mayfair, it's very Parisian. And Albert Bridge when it's lit up at night.

Which is your favourite London pub?
The Butcher's Hook in Fulham has excellent food.

What's your favourite London discovery?
There is a little Italian café called Corellis on Battersea Park Road which is full of character, has a lovely atmosphere plus photos of my favourite actresses, Claudia Cardinale, Ava Gardner and Sophia Loren, line the walls.

Where did you last go on holiday?
Puglia, Brazil and Corsica. Each time I was staying in a house with friends and family.