Arbutus chef unveils Soho trattoria

A former chef from Michelin-starred Arbutus has opened his own restaurant, Mele e Pere, a trattoria in London’s Soho.

Having spent five years working at Arbutus and its sister restaurants Wild Honey and Les Deux Salon, Verona-born chef Andrea Mantovani has now teamed up with business partner Peter Hughes to open Mele e Pere this month.

Presenting a blend of traditional and modern regional Italian cuisine, the menu includes dishes such as rabbit bruschetta, roast cod with fennel, and artichoke risotto with lamb neck and wild mint.

The Italian theme extends to the drinks list, with around 30 wines available by the glass, priced from £3 upwards. Vermouth also features prominently and a display behind the copper bar shows off a wide selection of classic brands and homemade styles, available in a collection of vermouth-based cocktails.

The décor inside the Brewer Street restaurant aims to keep the atmosphere informal, from its mix of vintage tables and chairs to the antique hand-painted tiles on the staircase and window display of hundreds of Murano glass apples and pears, from which the 92-seat venue takes its name.