Artusi is easily one of the best restaurants in South London, and has been since it opened a decade ago.
It traffics in well-executed simplicity, where the flashiness & flair take place on the tastebud rather than in the space’s understated decor. In short, it’s great without being theatrical. So it’s almost poetic that its latest sibling, Artusi Soho, has opened in a theatre.
That theatre is the Underbelly Boulevard in Soho, a legendary performance space on Walker’s Court (which, for a bit of colourful context, once housed a brothel). Artusi is directly below the stage on the first floor, which means that on any given night you’ll be dining just a few yards below fire-breathers, dancers, acrobats, comedians, and every possible variety of variety artist.
The space itself is a sharp swerve from the original stripped-back aesthetic of Artusi, this time taking a glamorous nod to old-school elegance and the burlesque spirit of the theatre below, with blush pink walls dotted with mirrors that ripple with florid imperfections. Everything has a sheen of luxury, from the deep velvet seats to the glossy marble tables and gleaming brass fittings.
Of course, the food is still the main event, with dishes like deeply flavourful saffron arancini; vibrant beetroot with leek vinaigrette & pangrattato; and spelt topped with whipped cod’s roe. They make fresh pasta from scratch each day to serve in comforting bowls of tagliatelle with beef shin ragu or classic spaghetti alla puttanesca. For something heartier, there’s Tamworth pork belly with spinach & olives; flaky cod on a bed of lentils, roasted pepper & Roscoff onions; and perfectly roasted grilled carrots with homemade ricotta, salsa verde & hazelnuts. And to finish? The tiramisu is outstanding.
There are plenty of cocktails and wines to match, and if you want something to chase the whole meal…
…you can always go upstairs.
NOTE: Artusi Soho is open now, Tuesday to Sunday. You don’t need a theatre ticket to go, and you can make a booking at the Underbelly website.
PREVIOUS PERK: Nudge Members (+1) enjoyed a secret soft launch with 50% of food. Don’t miss the next Member Perk – sign up for a free trial.
Artusi Soho | 6 Walker’s Ct, W1F 0BT
Want to grab a drink too? Crazy idea, but you could head to one of the best bars in Soho…