40 Dean Street, a family-run Italian restaurant in Soho, offers a homely decor, handmade pasta, and a laid-back atmosphere that makes diners feel they have left London behind, according to a review by Carly Hacon.
A warm welcome and refreshing cocktails
The restaurant, which has been a local institution for more than two decades, is tucked away in the heart of Soho. Despite the surrounding hustle and bustle, stepping through its doors felt like entering a little slice of Italy, the review said.
The decor was homely, the atmosphere warm and inviting, and the staff friendly from the moment of arrival. The evening began with cocktails, including a coconut and pineapple cooler, described as wonderfully refreshing on a hot summer evening.
Starters and pasta highlights
Starters included mozzarella garlic bread and pan-fried tiger prawns with shellfish and brandy sauce. Both were delicious, but the prawns were a highlight of the meal. The reviewer confessed to dipping the garlic bread into the leftover shellfish and brandy sauce, noting it was not elegant but absolutely delicious.
For mains, the review opted for two pasta dishes to share: lobster spaghetti packed with fresh lobster meat and beef ragu pappardelle, which delivered rich, comforting flavours. Pasta is central to the menu, made fresh by hand each day, with inspiration from different regions of Italy and Mediterranean cooking, while using ingredients sourced from nearby Soho businesses.
Dessert and a relaxed evening
Dessert included salted caramel cheesecake with pistachio ice cream and chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream, both indulgent without being too heavy.
The review praised the relaxed nature of the evening, enjoying a bottle of Pinot while chatting for hours over a candle-lit table. The experience felt decadent without any stuffiness, described as Italian decadence meeting the energy of London.
Founder and executive chef Nima Safaei originally purchased the site with the intention of opening a bar but fell in love with the Italian restaurant already occupying it. Alongside his sister, who grew up in Florence, he transformed that love of Italian food and culture into the Soho institution it is today.
The review concluded that the moment you walk through the doors, the pace winds down, the food arrives, and you simply feel at ease. Bookings can be made via the restaurant's website.
