Italian restaurant Mele e Pere to open in London’s Soho

A new northern Italian restaurant Mele e Pere is set to open in London's Soho at the end of October.

The 80-seater restaurant on Brewer Street, which was formerly Philippe Seiler's Va Bene, will become a new trattoria under joint owners Peter Hughes and chef Andrea Mantovani. The restaurant will have a contemporary feel whilst remaining true to the old-fashioned trattoria influences and will also feature a vermouth bar.

Hughes said: "Mele & Pere strives to re-create, within the context of an amazing space in the heart of Soho, some of the exquisite food, warm service and great value for money found in the Northern Italian trattorias that Andrea and I grew up with."

Mantovani, whose career has included stints at Harry's Bar, Arbutus and Wild Honey, will use quality seasonal ingredients to create authentic northern Italian dishes such as finely hand-chopped raw veal with Parmesan and sweet and sour radish, or handmade pasta dishes like crab ravioli with baby squid and bottarga, or pappardelle with slow-cooked hare.

Heston Blumenthal's former director of the Fat Duck, Nigel Sutcliffe, and exec chef James McClean of Truffle Hunting were drafted in as restaurant consultants on the project.

"Given Mantovani's background you can expect very good quality food, a relaxed atmosphere and reasonable prices," added Sutcliffe.

Mele & Pere was advised by specialist leisure agent Restaurant Property on the property.

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By Emily Manson

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