Top chef Nima Safaei, who owns three restaurants in London, has published his first cookbook, At Home with Nima. At a launch event held at his 40 Dean Street venue in Soho, guests were treated to a four-course meal showcasing the book's philosophy: food does not need to be complicated to be delicious.
Simple Starters and Satisfying Pasta
The meal began with a hazelnut, bean and beetroot salad. The beetroot was fresh cut and the hazelnuts served whole, but the combination of sweet beetroot and creamy beans worked well together. Next came a crab linguine, paired with a Gavi di Gavi DOCG II Rochin white wine. While the pasta was not extraordinary, it was perfectly pleasant and felt achievable to recreate at home.
Lamb Course Converts a Skeptic
The highlight was the herb-crusted rack of lamb cutlets, served with hassleback potatoes, wilted spinach, and baby carrots. The herbs gave a minty, almost spicy edge to the tender meat, complemented by a red wine jus. Jess Phillips, who had never been a lamb fan, declared herself converted and said she would order it again.
Dessert and Takeaways
For dessert, the berry panna cotta blended tart fruit with creamy vanilla, providing a delicious end to the meal. Phillips noted that there were no fancy tricks or complicated instructions—just simple, heartfelt dishes that felt replicable at home. Safaei, who also owns 27 Old Compton Street and 64 Old Compton Street, brings his signature charm to the cookbook, which is available to order now.
