As a private dining option in Soho, you can’t go wrong with Mele e Pere, a family-run, crowd-pleasing Italian that just so happens to have London’s most extensive selection of vermouth. Run by three brothers and a close friend, the restaurant draws on their Northern Italian heritage and love of authentic fare, making it a strong choice for birthdays, work parties and friends-and-family gatherings.
With a dedicated dining room and a basement Cocktail Bar, Mele e Pere can comfortably host groups of up to 40, with scope for larger bookings given enough notice. For parties of 15 or more, a pre-order system keeps things running smoothly, taking pressure off the host while ensuring dietary needs are covered. Gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options are built into the menus rather than treated as add-ons, which is good news for those with dietary requirements.
The team have created a special menu for large parties, allowing you to choose either two or three courses, which can be enjoyed singularly or to share family-style. It begins with antipasti that suit the table: sea bream crudo with fennel and rosemary oil; burrata pugliese with roasted tomatoes, olives and garlic crostini; and prosciutto crudo served with gnocchi fritti and Grana Padano. From there, guests choose from a focused selection of pastas, mains and pizzas, including cod alla puttanesca with roasted fennel, olives and capers; spaghetti alla carbonara with guanciale and pecorino; mafaldine with San Marzano tomatoes, burrata and basil; and a butternut squash, cavolo nero and hazelnut risotto. Desserts keep things classic and crowd-friendly, from vanilla pannacotta with wild berries to Nonna Mantovani’s tiramisu or an espresso affogato with homemade gelato.
Drinks are where Mele e Pere really comes into its own for group bookings. Downstairs, the Vermouth Bar houses London’s largest selection of vermouths, including the restaurant’s own homemade blend made with 20 botanicals. Guests can try them simply over ice or folded into cocktails that nod to aperitivo culture, such as the Mele e Pere Negroni, the Raspberry Riff, or the lychee-led Never Gonna Lychee Go.