Last Updated on May 5, 2023
Authentic Italian dining in Obicà’s newly refurbished Soho branch
Obicà Mozzarella Bar is an Italian restaurant and pizzeria situated in the heart of Soho in London. The first Obicà Mozzarella Bar in the world was opened in Rome in May 2004. It was cited in The New York Times as “Rome’s and probably history’s first Mozzarella Bar”. Today Obicà has 25 restaurants in cities all over the world, which include Milan, Palermo, New York City, Tokyo and London of course.
Obicà first opened in Poland Street, Soho in 2013, however, the branch was closed earlier this year for a major refurbishment and has recently reopened its doors with a brand-new cosmopolitan look, designed by Labics Architecture Studio, which has created an informal atmosphere typical of Italian piazzas and arcades. It boasts a slick black interior with light-grained wood tables, contemporary bow-back chairs with deep red leather seats and large statement glass teardrop-shaped light fittings. The mirrored bar is lined up with brightly coloured bottles of Campari and Aperol, and the tables are set with small potted plants and vibrant coloured tins of olive oil.
Davide Di Lorenzo, Obicà Group CEO says, ‘The new restaurant on Poland Street marks a new beginning for Obicà after returning to Italian ownership with the Scudieri family. We can’t wait to reopen the doors and invite guests to experience our new home in Soho where we will continue to offer a luxurious gastronomic journey while respecting the simplicity of Italian cuisine.
Obicà is known for its fresh Mozzarella di Bufala Campana DOP, which comes from selected farms and dairies in Campania, they serve two types of Mozzarellas, each with a typical taste: sweet and gentle for the Delicate, stronger and more robust for the Smoked Mozzarella. Along with other classic Italian dishes they also serve magnificent pizzas which are prepared with Molino Paolo Mariani flour and sourdough. The dough is risen for at least 48 hours, this slow-rising process makes it fragrant and highly digestible. The pizzas are then topped with organic tomato and wonderfully fresh ingredients from some of the best suppliers in Italy before being stone baked.
On the night of our visit Soho was bustling and so was Obicà. It’s got a lovely friendly and informal atmosphere which makes it the ideal pit stop for classic Italian food in the centre of Soho.
I began with an Aperol Spritz, the perfect light and summery Italian aperitif and my companion enjoyed his Americano, a bitter-sweet combo of Campari, Cinzano Vermouth Red and Soda.
We followed with a generous fillet of sea bass, perfectly cooked and brimming with lots of intense flavours from Porcini the mushrooms and the Datterini tomatoes confit served with roasted potatoes. The vegetable pizza was truly scrumptious, with a crisp, light base topped with smoked Mozzarella di Bufala, and lightly griddled vegetables -aubergine, courgette, bell pepper, tomatoes and sweet pumpkin.
We accompanied our food with a couple of glasses of Sibiliana Grillo 2002 – Sicilia, a lovely easy drinking white wine with notes of apple, peach and citrus.
And to finish a rich frangipani almond tart with luscious vanilla mascarpone, other options include a traditional tiramisù, ricotta di bufala cake with marron glace caramel and torta caprese with ice cream.
Obicà provides a fantastic authentic Italian dining experience to relish in their newly refurbished modern restaurant in Soho. You can also find them in St Pauls (which we reviewed when it first opened!) and Canary Wharf.
Obicà, 19-20 Poland St, London W1F 8QF
Website: www.obica.com
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday 12.00 pm-11.00 pm
Also worth checking out if you are in the area is RossoPomodoro Chelsea
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