Soho's restaurant scene has a rich history, and you only have to take a stroll down Dean Street to realise that. This bustling spot is packed full of great places to eat, but stopping at 40 Dean Street guarantees a lively atmosphere that truly celebrates the local area, and that's just what I was after on a busy Thursday night.
This intimate, family-run Italian restaurant has been around since 2009, using local ingredients such as bread from Soho-based bakery Camisa (dating back to 1929) and coffee beans from the historic Algerian Coffee Stores that's been serving the area since 1887. Combined with a carefully crafted menu by Executive Chef Nima Safaei, who has had a lifelong passion for Italian cooking, this venue was extremely enticing to me.
Take a seat in this sultry spot for an indulgent Italian feast.
DesignMyNight Review Of 40 Dean Street
This sultry space was lit only by candlelight, and though the dining area was small it was full with marble-topped tables and old-fashioned wooden benches. We were led to a corner table by the window, perfect for watching the busy street go by while enjoying the welcoming vibes of the restaurant too.
In my opinion, no meal is complete without a cocktail, so that's exactly what we started with. I went for the pomegranate highball (£13), a fruity twist on this classic drink that contained vodka, pomegranate syrup, lime and soda, with a sprig of fresh rosemary to add a faint herbal flavour to the otherwise sweet but tart blend. My dinner date chose a more tropical coconut and pineapple cooler (£13), a less creamy version of a pina colada made of coconut syrup, pineapple juice and rum - topped with a bed of foam and a slice of dried pineapple.
The 40 Dean Street menu offers some of the best pasta dishes around.
After we were suitably refreshed, we dived into their extensive menu of enticing eats. Our first choice of starter was the beetroot and goat's cheese arancini (£12.30), which had a rich, tangy taste and a bright purple colour, encased in a crispy, deep-fried batter. This was a delicious start to the meal, and the sweet tomato jam it was served with complimented the bitesize treats perfectly. We paired this with the aubergine parmigiana (£10.70). This is one of my favourite Italian dishes of all time, and this one certainly lived up to my hopes. The aubergine was soft and tender, piled into layers and covered in a mix of gooey mozzarella, slow-cooked tomatoes and parmesan to create an ultra-cheesy combination.
Our main courses were just as mouthwatering, mine being the ravioli ricotta (£23.50), filled with a mix of ricotta and truffle. This came in a buttery sauce with shavings of truffle dotted all over the plate, and though I loved the dish as a whole, I felt the truffle was very slightly too overpowering. My partner decided on the chicken Milanese with spaghetti pomodoro (£23), which combined a sumptuous, rosemary bread crumb-coated chicken breast with spaghetti in a flavourful tomato and basil sauce - but be warned, this was an absolutely massive portion.
The 40 Dean Street Soho reviews all mention their fantastic cocktails.
We ordered another round of the same cocktails after our mains - a testament to how good they both were. Of course, we had to sample some desserts alongside these, the first of which was a salted caramel cheesecake (£7). This was the chilled variety of cheesecake with a perfect combination of sweet and salty flavour, topped with a scoop of pistachio ice cream. Our other pick was the chocolate fondant (£7), a round sponge dripping in a dark chocolate sauce, served with milky vanilla ice cream.
40 Dean Street: Overall
Having been around for more than 15 years, it's clear that 40 Dean Street are doing something right. This busy venue brings a touch of traditional charm to the area, with a diverse menu of dishes that showcase the best of Italian cuisine, from fresh pasta to hearty meat and seafood plates. Though it may be a little more on the pricey side, the premium location and massive portions make up for it, and I'd highly recommend trying out some of their cocktails too.
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💰 Price: £135.50 for two, including three courses and two drinks each. 📍 Address: 40 Dean Street, London W1D 4PX. 👌 Perfect for: Date nights in the centre of the action. ⭐ Need to know: They've got a second venue called 64 Old Compton Street. |
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