Mele e Pere is a wonderful Christmas party venue for groups who want the vibe of a neighbourhood Italian trattoria without leaving central Soho. Founded by three brothers and a friend who grew up around the family-run restaurants of northern Italy, it specialises in food that perfectly suits a festive gathering: handmade pasta, long-proved pizza, generous sharing plates and plenty of wine and vermouth.
The restaurant’s dining room and basement Cocktail Bar can accommodate groups of up to 40 comfortably, with larger parties possible given enough notice. Groups of 15 or more are asked to pre-order so that bigger celebrations can run smoothly, while the large-party menus are designed to make things quicker and easier for everyone. Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are all part and parcel, too.
As for the food, generous portions and warming dishes feel just right for December. One party menu starts with homemade focaccia and Nocellara olives for the table, followed by antipasti such as beef carpaccio with Parmigiano Reggiano, burrata with aubergine sott’olio, or bruschette with pesto, artichoke and sun-dried tomatoes.
For mains, there are richer celebratory dishes including ribeye with Sangiovese sauce, pappardelle verdi with duck ragù and black truffle, taglierini with king prawns, and pizza tartufata topped with prosciutto crudo and truffle pesto. Another menu keeps things more classic, with tagliatelle alla Bolognese, paccheri with tomato and burrata, roast chicken with artichoke and mushrooms, or pizza Genovese with mozzarella, stracchino and basil pesto.
Dessert is suitably Italian: Nonna Mantovani’s tiramisu, espresso affogato with homemade gelato, chocolate budino or roast pineapple with lemon sorbet. Oh, and don't forget to add London’s largest selection of vermouths, an all-Italian wine list and a ground-floor Spritz Bar, and we'd say Mele e Pere has all the ingredients for a fabulous Christmas party.