Acclaimed chef Nima Safaei, who runs three restaurants in London, has released his cookbook At Home with Nima. At an exclusive launch party at his 40 Dean Street establishment in Soho, he served a four-course Italian meal with a homemade twist. Jess Phillips, Deputy Editor of Screen Time, attended and found that simplicity can be the key to extraordinary food.
A Welcoming Atmosphere
Nima welcomed guests into the intimate Soho location with charisma. The concept behind the cookbook is straightforward: cuisine doesn't require complexity to be scrumptious. The meal began with a hazelnut, bean, and beetroot salad. The beetroot was freshly sliced and the hazelnuts served intact, but everything combined beautifully, with the natural sweetness of the beetroot complementing the richness of the beans.
Crab Linguine and Wine Pairings
The second course was crab linguine, paired with a Gavi di Gavi DOCG II Rochin white wine. Phillips admitted she is not a wine connoisseur but noted the white paired delightfully with the fresh pasta. While the linguine itself was not extraordinary, it was thoroughly enjoyable and felt achievable at home.
Herb-Crusted Lamb Cutlets Steal the Show
The third course featured herb-crusted rack of lamb cutlets with hassleback potatoes, wilted spinach, and baby carrots. Phillips, who had never been a lamb enthusiast, became a complete convert after this dish. The herbs lent a minty, almost fiery kick to the succulent meat, and the red wine jus paired beautifully. She described it as the standout course and something she would order again without hesitation.
Dessert and Final Thoughts
For dessert, Phillips chose the berry panna cotta over the pistachio tiramisu. The sharp fruit combined with silky vanilla for a delightful finale. She concluded that keeping things straightforward works best. There were no flashy gimmicks, blazing plates, or dry ice. Nima's creations were presented with passion and seemed like dishes she could whip up at home.
Nima Safaei also owns 27 Old Compton Street and 64 Old Compton Street. At Home with Nima is available to order now.
