Nessa

British·
££££
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Silver Award
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SquareMeal Review of Nessa

Silver Award

Sitting proudly on the corner of Brewer Street and Warwick Street, Nessa has nabbed a prime bit of Soho real estate. Al fresco pavement tables under striped green awnings will be in high demand when warmer months come around, but that’s just one aspect of Nessa’s multifaceted appeal, which also includes a stylish bar and restaurant, with all the food looked after by one-time Duck & Waffle head chef Tom Cenci.

It’s clear that a good amount of money has been spent doing up the whole place, and design-wise they’ve done a bang-up job. Nessa has a smooth, understated art deco charm about it - the bar is decked out in woodland tones of forest green and dark timber, whilst comfy armchairs provide a place to slump with a cocktail and a snack. Make your way around the bar and you’ll find the dining room, where brushed oak and Carrara marble interweave around the fixtures and furnishings of the restaurant.

It’s a great vibe - intimate but easy-going - and Cenci’s elegant but unfussy food settles perfectly within that atmosphere. Take for example the black pudding brioche, which is fast becoming a Nessa signature; a thick, burnished slice of brioche toast comes with a central core of black pudding, swimming in a puddle of brown butter. And that’s it, really - there’s a confidence in the dish that requires no embellishment, and it’s absolutely delicious.

We can wax lyrical about more of the menu, whether it’s the celeriac carbonara with golden confit egg yolk, dainty parcels of spiced bulgur wheat wrapped in savoy cabbage leaves, or soft leek hearts, cooked over coals and dressed over creamy almond ricotta. The cocktail list is compact but excellent, and dare we say, the food is actually surprisingly good value too. Staff are perhaps a little green and over-eager to remove plates, but with a little more time Nessa looks firmly on track to become one of Soho’s most reliable all-day spots.

Good to know

Average Price
££££ - £50 - £79
Cuisines
British
Ambience
Cool, Traditional
Food Occasions
All day dining, Breakfast, Brunch, Dinner, Lunch
Alfresco And Views
Outside seating, Terrace
Special Features
Dog friendly, Gluten-free options, Vegan options, Vegetarian options, Wheelchair access
Perfect for
Birthdays, Celeb spotting, Celebrations, Child friendly, Dates, Group dining [8+], Special occasions

About

After making a name for himself at Duck & Waffle, and then the excellent Loyal Tavern on Bermondsey Street, Tom Cenci is back cooking in London at Nessa - a British bistro on the ground floor of Soho members' club 1 Warwick. Cenci's cooking has been typically modern British in the past - it was his contemporary style that helped to make Duck & Waffle a household name in its early days - and Nessa champions the same seasonal British sensibilities. Nessa's menu combines seasonal British produce with international inspiration to create dishes that present British cuisine in an inventive, modern light.

Meanwhile, Nessa itself is relaxed and informal, despite it's members' club location, and it sits on the corner of Brewer Street and Warwick Street, making this a perfect spot to enjoy a coffee and a bite to eat and watch Soho life go by. The restaurant itself - and indeed the members club above - take lots of inspiration from the history of Soho, with decor and artwork that draws on the work of Bohemian artists and influence also taken from the eclectic Soho establishments of years gone by.

As for the building, this renovated 1910 neo-baroque townhouse is one of Soho's most impressive. Edwardian architecture meets mid-century modern vintage furniture, art and textural fabrics in the bar, whilst the dining room is a little more refined - think brushed oak and marble fixtures and plush banquette seating. And of course, there's some outdoor seating on Brewer Street and Warwick Street too; outside tables are nicely shaded thanks to awnings, making this a prime spot for al fresco wining and dining in Soho.

While the menu changes with the seasons, for an idea of what to expect take a look at the online sample offering. Currently, you'll find small plates like heritage tomato and strawberry salad, rubbing up next to larger plates like Cornish cod with pink fir potatoes, parsley sauce and caviar, as well as flat iron chicken with garlic mushrooms, sage and onion toppping.

Menu Highlights

Starters
Celeriac Carbonara - £18.00

with pancetta, confit egg yolk, truffle & Spenwood cheese (a fantastic British Parmesan alternative) (gf)

Aged Beef Tartare - £12.00

Served with beef fat charred sourdough

Woodfired Leeks - £12.00

Served with almond ricotta and candied pecans (pb,gf)

Charred Mackerel - £14.00

Served with cucumber, lime & gooseberries (gf)

Main Courses
Sirloin of grass fed Irish Beef - £45.00

Served on a bread trivet with lashings of gravy

Dessert
Viennessa - £16.00

Dark chocolate sponge, salted caramel ice cream & Chantilly cream. Our take on the iconic dinner party dessert. (pb)


FAQs

Is there a dress code?

There's no suggested dress code but we'd recommend smart casual.

Helpful? 0

Do I need to book?

Booking is advised - you can book via the website or over the phone.

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Meet the team
Nessa

Tom Cenci

Executive Chef

Tom travelled the world as a chef for years, before he made a name for himself as the first head chef of Duck & Waffle on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower. Since then he has become one of London's most celebrated chefs, and many of his restaurants have been critically acclaimed, not least the three restaurants he runs as executive chef of Maslows. Tom oversees everything that happens at Nessa, Yasmin and Mortimer House Kitchen, bringing his Italian heritage and love of Middle Eastern food to the fore at three of London's most exciting restaurants. 


This venue also offers

Nessa
Private Group Dining

Nessa

Yasmin
Private Group Dining

Yasmin

1 Warwick Soho
Christmas Parties

1 Warwick Soho

Yasmin
Restaurant

Yasmin

Location

86 Brewer Street, Soho, London, W1F 9UB

020 7337 7404 020 7337 7404

Website

Opening Times

All day
Mon 08:00-00:00
Tue 08:00-00:00
Wed 08:00-00:00
Thu 08:00-02:00
Fri 08:00-02:00
Sat 09:00-02:00
Sun 09:00-18:00

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