Twist Connubio

Fusion restaurants can so often fall at the first hurdle, failing to find the right balance between whatever it is they're trying to, well, fuse. In the case of Twist, it’s the coming together of Spanish and Italian cuisine, reinterpreted through modern tapas-style plates and, we have to say, we think they’ve got it bang on the money.  

Contemporary sharing dishes isn’t what you’d expect when you walk through the door though. The interiors resemble something close to a rustic trattoria or a tapas bar, with distressed wooden flooring, exposed bricks, haphazardly placed free-form shelves and no-frills finishes (think hanging light bulbs from industrial beams). Fully-packed tables add to the buzzy, laid-back feel.  

Dishes arrive at a lazy, unhurried pace, which is no bad thing, but we do recommend setting aside at least a couple of hours to eat here. Two deep-fried things arrive together; a tangle of tempura broccoli with citrusy mayo and crisp courgette flowers stuffed with lemony ricotta, both still warm and gorgeously crisp. A selection of freshly made focaccia and olive bread with cultured butter is not to be overlooked. We ordered two rounds of it, not least because we needed something to mop up an oozy plate of burrata served with garlicky caramelised roast tomatoes. Then came a firm fillet of stone bass with smoky chicory and a butter-rich sauce, while the restaurant's signature dish of onglet steak was meltingly tender, perfectly seasoned and clearly of high quality.  

The service doesn’t molly-coddle you which is actually quite refreshing considering the post code, although our plates were so slow to the table that we ended up staying for a good three hours. What of the price? Veggie plates average around £10 each while meat and fish sit nearer the £20 mark, so they can add up. The wine list is comprised of Spanish and Italian bottles only, but every dish on the menu comes with a recommended wine pairing if you can’t decide - and we suggest you take them up on a couple of them.  

Twist Connubio is a smart restaurant in Marylebone which takes its wine seriously. The restaurant’s dining room is a rustic-chic affair, complete with distressed hardwood floors and wooden beams running across the ceiling, while marble-topped tables and an open kitchen toward the back of the space add touches of modernity. During the day, there is plenty of natural light provided via large windows, while come nightfall, the restaurant is lit by candles.

The menu at Twist Connubio is a modern European affair replete with Spanish and Italian influences, comprising nibbles, sharing dishes, pastas and meats cooked on a Josper grill. To kick-start your meal, tuck into small plates such as jamon croquettes and padron peppers, before moving on to sharing dishes comprising of meat, fish and vegetarian options - think baked bone marrow with parsley and caviar for carnivorous types and fried courgette flowers topped with buffalo ricotta for those following plant-based diets.

If you would rather have something a little more substantial, instead choose a dish from the pasta or grill, including ravioli served with veal jus or 35-day aged T-bone steak to share between two, which arrives topped with your choice of homemade sauces: bourbon peppercorn, chimichurri or Moutarde de Pommery.

Want to alleviate the burden of choice? Opt for one of Twist Connubio’s tasting menus, which are designed for a minimum of two people and must be ordered for the whole table. You can choose between a ‘small’, ‘medium’ or ‘carte blanche’ offering, featuring dishes such as burrata with confit potatoes, roasted cod with aubergine and spring onion and roast potatoes with smoked paprika aioli.

Written next to every item on the menu at Twist Connubio, you will find a recommended wine pairing which comes from the restaurant’s extensive Spanish and Italian list. Classic cocktails are available too.