Mele e Pere

"Al dente handmade pasta, a vermouth menu, and a sexy basement that feels distinctly Soho. What more could you want from an Italian restaurant in central? If you’re thinking, “actually I’d quite like a giant 48-hour fermented dough pizza please”, then you’re in luck because this trattoria on Brewer Street has got those too. Open for over a decade and owned by three brothers, this place is a proper charmer. It's got something for everyone with gluten-free pasta options, a good-value pre-theatre menu, and a cocktail bar that’s perfect for having a couple of negronis before deciding whether this person is worthy of sharing Nonna Mantovani’s tiramisu." - Jake Oliver, Rianne Shlebak, Sinead Cranna

"Romeo and Juliet. Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy. The beef ragu at this Soho bolthole and a bowl of grated parmesan. A union that is quite clearly written in the carbohydrate stars. The tagliatelle to ragu ratio leans in favour of that slow-cooked, almost sweet beef, so it’s an exceptional excuse to load up on more parmesan once you’re out of pasta. It’s not the only pasta worth trying at the moody Italian spot—there’s plenty more, including an OTT-looking lobster bigoli." - Jake Oliver, Rianne Shlebak, Sinead Cranna

"Mele E Pere is a very sexy place to be. It could be the vermouth bar, it could be the flirtatious tagliatelle fork-twirling, or it could be its moody Soho basement location. Whatever it is, Mele E Pere manages to feel like a restaurant that’s been here forever but still suits any and all of your modern dining needs. Last-minute catch-ups over huge 48-hour fermented dough pizzas? Check. A charming, affordable date night featuring gluten-free pasta for your beloved? Sorted. A desperate urge to eat huge slabs of Italian desserts on a Tuesday night? Nonna Mantovani’s tiramisu has got you covered." - Heidi Lauth Beasley, Jake Oliver, Rianne Shlebak, Sinead Cranna

"Mele E Pere is a Brewer Street trattoria where the mood is permanently set to old-school Soho. You know, a time when Virginia Woolf used to float around in silk stockings and Jeffrey Bernard made an entire legacy out of calling in sick. A better time really, and undoubtedly a moodier time. Get a slice of the nostalgic action—and a slice of oil-slicked, spicy ‘nduja pizza—by descending down to the sprawling maroon basement dining room, that also happens to be home to London’s longest vermouth menu. From majestic chalky mountains of complimentary parmesan to heaped sweet ragus, expect expert takes on Italian classics that will make you smile, even when your primary commitment is to being seductively sulky. " - rianne shlebak, jake missing, heidi lauth beasley

"Mele E Pere is a family-run Italian restaurant home to London’s largest selection of vermouths. If your cocktail senses are tingling then listen up. Mele E Pere on Brewer Street in Soho even has a homemade vermouth featuring over 20 botanicals. The negronis here are reliably superb and if you fancy yourself as something of a connoisseur, then dabbling in some of the rarer vermouths on offer is a real treat. Although this place is first and foremost a restaurant downstairs, the street-level aperitivo bar is perfect for sipping your worries away while watching the people of Soho do their thing. " - heidi lauth beasley, daisy meager