Review on Bocca di Lupo
The curious name translates as 'mouth of the wolf' - it's apparently a term of endearment in Italian - but there's nothing ferocious about this sleek new Soho theatreland venue, which has the bonus of a marble-topped bar where you can sit and watch the chefs as they go about their work.
Otherwise, opt for the evocative delights of the small, intimate dining room, which conjures up Italy with its terrazzo on the floor, antique mirrors and fascinating contemporary canvases by Haidee Becker depicting 'a cornucopia of local flora and fauna'.
The kitchen is fully in tune with all that's regional, whether it's caponata from Sicily, crescentine from Emilia-Romagna or capon magro from Liguria. Each dish is flagged up with its region of origin - thus 'raw and cured' items might include shaved radish, celeriac and pecorino salad with pomegranate and truffle oil, while 'roasts' might feature rustic pork and foie gras sausage with farro and porcini from Trentino. Most dishes can be ordered as small or large plates, while desserts could usher in Sicilian cassata or more challenging sanguinaccio (a sweet pâté of pig's blood and chocolate with sourdough bread) from Abruzzo. The intriguing regional Italian wine list does its job admirably.
Cuisine
Italian
Chef
Jacob Kenedy and Angelo Albera
Restaurant Opening Times
Lunch: 12.00 - 3.00pm
Dinner: 5.15 - 11.00pm (9.30pm Sun)
Accepted credit cards
Visa, Master Card, American Express