Manzi’s | A luxurious tribute to a classic London seafood restaurant
Technically, despite being one of London’s newest restaurants, Manzi’s opened sometime in early 1928.
You see, just to give you the short version of the story, Manzi’s was a truly legendary London seafood restaurant just off Chinatown, and for about 80 years it was an epicentre of everything from first dates to silver wedding anniversaries, birthdays to bridal showers, retirements to reunions, and everything in between. Then, in 2006, it sadly closed.
Fortunately, the universe simply will not allow London to go without a suitable replacement, so the team at The Wolseley Group (who also brought us Brasserie Zédel, Bellanger, and indeed The Wolseley) have opened up an all-new, lively & luxuriant eatery inspired by the enduring legacy of Manzi’s itself.
The new restaurant is a stone’s throw north of the original, in a suitably grand & ancient building just off Soho Square. Step inside, and you’ll see a tribute to Hemingway’s classic novella The Old Man And The Sea, with a huge mural & a full-on wall-mounted marlin. Then, heading into the restaurant itself, you’ll find a glamorously nautical theme, with mermaids, mermen, and an oceans-worth of sea creatures set against a palette of soft blues, whites and sea greens, all flooded with light thanks to the huge windows and the glittering chandeliers.
Food-wise, they’re sticking keenly to Manzi’s aquatic roots, and have included a few of the classics that never left the menu of the original (moules marinière, a ‘catch of the day’, a lemon-drenched Dover sole, etc.), adding a few new dishes in the form of fried violet artichokes with sauce gribiche; a New York shrimp burger; a classic Cioppino fish stew; and a massive monkfish Wellington wrapped in flaky pastry, and served with a peppery sauce Américaine.
They’ve played the same trick for the drinks menu too, staying close to the original, while adding a few fresh numbers – expect classics like the Old Cuban (mixing rum & champagne) to meet up with newer concoctions like their delightful sounding sgroppino, which mixes lightly sparkling crémant de loire with lemony aqua di cedro and blackcurrant sorbet.
Hopefully this place can toast to 80 years, too.
NOTE: Manzi’s is open all day, every day. You can find out more information or book a table HERE.
PREVIOUS PERK: Nudge Members (+3) got 50% off the new food menu for two weeks.
Manzi’s | 1 Bateman’s Buildings, Soho, W1D 3EN
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