The elusive members’ club… something I recently found myself lusting for over this long, hot summer. Who wouldn’t want to relax in the lap of luxury, sipping cocktails by one of London’s swanky sky-high rooftop pools? Unfortunately for me, my bank account just won’t allow for such frivolous spending, so when Cecconi’s Pizza Bar opened in Soho, I couldn’t turn down the chance to sample a taste of the high life at a more reasonable price.
Striped floors, patio seating and floor-to-ceiling windows evoke Italian charm.
Following in the footsteps of the original Mayfair restaurant and sister sites in Shoreditch and the City, the Soho spot is offering up classic Italian dishes with a modern twist; that twist being a sexy Soho location, DJs spinning live music and cocktails on tap. Yes, that’s right; if you like your Aperol with a side of spritz and negronis flowing from a tap, then you’ve come to the right place.
Snazzy striped marble floors and huge windows make for a slinky space, particularly on a bustling Saturday night, where a DJ fills the room with hip-hop and contemporary tunes. Starting with cocktails, we went for the Saffron Highball (£8) and Red Pepper Sbagliato (£8); both easily quaffable and the perfect accompaniments to cicchetti like the zucchini fritti (£4) and oozy burrata (£8) topped with figs and a hazelnut balsamic dressing.
Don't be fooled by a pretty interior; food and drinks are just as important as the decor.
If you’re looking for a slice of luxury without the price tag, Cecconi’s Pizza Bar is just the place. We ordered lobster spaghetti (£13) and a spicy salami and chilli pizzette (£7) which was more sweet than spicy and just as big as a regular pizza. Finishing off with a perfectly creamy tiramisu (£5) and a couple of whisky, Campari and cocchi-based Coconut Old Pals (£8), this was the perfect setting to kick off our Saturday night... especially with that DJ on the decks.
