The clue is in the name; it’s the latest restaurant from Nima Safaei, who also owns the eponymous 40 Dean Street and 64 Old Compton Street. Like his other two Soho restaurants, this one focuses on Italian cuisine, but with one key difference. While the other two are more of a place to sit down for a leisurely lunch or dinner after booking, 27 Old Compton Street is more of a casual hangout – maybe a place to grab a bowl of pasta and a glass of wine before or after the theatre? Or maybe a late night spot (since it’s open until 1am on weekends).
Where is it?
We’d think you were kidding, wouldn’t we? But the nearest tube station is probably Leicester Square or Piccadilly Circus.
Where would be a good place to meet for a drink first?
Since you’re in the heart of Soho, there are plenty of great drinking spots around – but good luck trying to get to any of them on the weekend. A nearby venue we recommend is Swift, which has great cocktails and isn’t too expensive. And of course, there’s Devonshire, about a five-minute walk away.
Where should we sit?
The restaurant is fairly small, but there’s room on the ground floor and in the basement, whether you’re dining for two or more. The best tables are downstairs in the basement alcove, a semi-private area that seats 8-10 and 4 people respectively. These can also be booked directly at the restaurant.
What’s on the menu?
This is a pasta bar that emulates the concept of a “tavola calda”, a fast but quality fast food restaurant, so pasta is at the heart of the menu. There are 12 fresh pasta dishes on the menu (13 if you include lasagna), as well as a small selection of snacks.
What’s on the menu for vegetarians and vegans?
If you’re looking for plant-based dishes, you’ve come to the right place, with three oven-baked dishes as well as vegan gnocchi and penne vodka, and porcini and truffle risotto for vegetarians.
Is there room for dessert?
There’s only one dessert option, but, we can’t stress enough, don’t leave without ordering it.
What’s on the drinks list?
As well as an all-Italian wine list with prices starting from as low as £5 a glass (are we back to the early 21st century?!), there are six Italian-inspired cocktails (and three mocktails).
Conclusion
At a time when eating out in London can be a very expensive (not to mention sometimes disappointing) affair, finding a place in London that serves delicious food at a truly reasonable price is like a warm hug from your Italian grandma. Soho should have more restaurants like 27 Old Compton Street, but while we wait for them to appear, the opening of this one is definitely worth celebrating. Come here for some fried rice balls and an Americano, or a bowl of delicious courgette fries followed by some pasta, and you’ll feel – for that brief moment – that the world is at peace again.
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