New to the block on Soho’s Argyll Street, Italian restaurant Amalfi offers relaxed dining and a colourful cocktail menu, perfect for those afternoon catch ups with your friends that take you well into the evening. Opened just a few weeks ago (March 2022), the eatery focuses on bringing the essence of the Amalfi coast to Central London through authentic ingredients, gorgeous interiors and true Italian hospitality.
Drawing inspiration from its namesake coast in southern Italy, you can expect a flora-filled restaurant space, bold ceramic plant pots, and even faux lemon trees amongst the table and chairs. The flooring is made up of mosaic marble and terracotta tiles, truly transporting you to the warm climes of the continent. The jewel in the interior’s crown is most definitely the large chandelier above the main staircase, which glitters with light between tumbling foliage.
We started our meal with the Italian cherry sour and signature house smoked negroni cocktails, both of which tasted fantastic, despite being on opposite ends of the flavour spectrum. The first was zingy and refreshing, while the second was strong, with an intense, almost cigar-like flavour, served with a flourish of smoke. In fact, Amalfi have curated a range of negronis, perfect for the upcoming warmer months. Also on the drinks menu, you’ll find other unique cocktails, mocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks.
While the drinks nod to an Italian escape in the sun, the divine food menu really drives this feeling home. On offer are a selection of flavoursome small and large plates, encompassing hand-stretched sourdough pizzas, refreshing seafood dishes, satisfying meat-filled meals and more. We opted to start with garlic and mozzarella flatbread and rock oysters, which set our palettes up well for the main course: ravioli de carne. Often, chefs can scrimp on filling when it comes to filled pastas or pastries, but that is certainly not the case at Amalfi. Oh, no. We were utterly delighted with the large parcels of veal and beef, dripping in a rich mushroom sauce with piccolo mushrooms and black truffle oil. We devoured the meal, which I must say, was paired perfectly with the light and fruity Sicilian Pinot Grigio.
It would be a crime to leave an Italian restaurant without dessert; Italy is known for its indulgent sweet treats, and Amalfi does not disappoint. Many options are a twist on a classic; the Dolce Sorrento is pretty much a deconstructed cheesecake, with a well-balanced set of flavours: vanilla, lemon and passionfruit. If chocolate is more your bag, try the Baked Chocolate Etna (a twist on Baked Alaska). A mix between hot and cold, double chocolate gelato is covered in red fruit ‘lava’, and surrounded by soft and gooey scorched vanilla marshmallow meringue in the shape of Mount Etna. The result is a burst of different flavours in each bite – gorgeous.
Depending on the time of year you visit, you can opt to sit in the main restaurant area (which stretches across two floors), the exclusive private garden room, or out on the terrace – perfect for catching some rays and enjoying a spot of alfresco dining during the summer months. We visited on an April evening, so sat inside on plush booth seating, overlooking the neighbouring Palladium theatre’s grand facade. It’s worth noting that the surrounding ‘outside in’ interiors made us feel as though we were dining alfresco, just a little cosier, really. The waiters here are particularly attentive, serving your meal and answering any questions with a smile; this is definitely a spot you can return to again and again.