Few names carry quite the same weight in Knightsbridge as Sale e Pepe, whose reputation for refined Italian hospitality and a reliably well-heeled clientele precedes it. So, the arrival of Sale e Pepe Mare - a seafood-led sibling housed within The Langham Hotel - feels like an inevitable next step.
Like the building it's housed in, Sale e Pepe Mare is unmistakably designed for a swanky crowd, and thanks to the Midas touch of the Thesleff Group, it delivers. A vast marble bar anchors one side of the dining room, framed by three back-lit arches, stacked high with colourful bottles, whilst floor-to-ceiling windows filter the last of the day's light through sheer curtains. Honeyed wood panelling curves with the room, whilst olive trees, deep azure velvet banquettes and burnt orange accents complete the Mediterranean feel. There are thoughtful nods to the original site too, from the familiar navy palette to the glowing neon sign that greets guests at the door.
Whilst it’s hard to ignore the temptation of the gold-plated Champagne trolley weaving through the room, we begin with a Sgroppino. Its icy blend of lemon sorbet, vodka and Prosecco brings a bright, zippy tartness that seems to banish the dreary London weather outside. Alongside it, salt-specked focaccia and whisper-thin pane carasau make for a perfect introduction, both ideal for dragging through a generous puddle of olive oil and tangy balsamic.
The menu leans firmly into its ‘mare’ concept, taking us on a whistlestop tour of Italy’s coastline. Cicchetti of bluefin tuna on brioche layers rich fish and confit tomato, dressed with a drop of caviar, whilst cast-iron prawns arrive with heads still on, plump and juicy, lifted by deep-fried garlic crisps and a lingering Calabrian chilli heat. It’s restrained cooking at its best, the kind of dishes that know when to step back and let the quality of the ingredients do the talking.
Scallop carpaccio is an instant highlight; delicately sliced, bathing in a zesty lemon vinaigrette, and topped with purple garlic flowers and radish curls. It’s almost too pretty to eat, finished with Espelette chilli for a subtle smoky warmth. Pasta follows suit, glossy strands of tagliarini are tangled with king crab and sweet bursts of daterrini tomatoes. Dessert keeps things firmly in classic territory - a tray of tiramisu arrives tableside, scooped in all its rich, creamy, cocoa-dusted glory, and we devour every bite.
The Langham feels like exactly the right home for this addition to the Sale e Pepe family, continuing its legacy in a polished new setting. Knightsbridge regulars will feel right at home, with the same confident cooking, elegant surroundings and astute hospitality that made the OG such a hit.