Mele e Pere — Restaurant in London

the way i would give this place zero stars if i could. firstly let’s start off with the fact that i don’t even write reviews but now i feel obliged too. as a 17 year old young girl i felt extremely mistreated by the men at this workplace who told me my “problem” was absurd and me being slow. quite ironic that i read all the reviews to find MANY people have had a problem with your menu being unclear with pricing and overcharging on bills. i’m clearly not the only one, so ur puny attempt at gaslighting me and my friend to the point she started crying didn’t work.

when we were ordering the prices read “13.5” or “8.5” etc, expectedly this means simply £13.50 as this is how it works in the uk? or am i wrong? the menu pricing was so unclear that to be safe whilst the waiter was taking me order i asked about the sizing and price ratio as it didn’t look right. he said NOTHING about price and instead told me what the portion sizes are like (he ended up also shouting in my face and continuously disrupting me when i tried to explain). due to this unclarity i was charged £80 at the end of bill which confused me

i immediately called a manager over to ask why i was charged 80 when the menu said nothing about this and branded it as “8”. instead of being met with polite customer service and an explanation i was accused of coming in with the incentive of not paying and “eating for free” whilst they were grinning. this was extremely hostile and i assured them that despite the unclarity on their behalf i would still pay, so how am i being stereotyped as being some ghetto young girl?

on top of this the service was EXTREMELY slow i waited around 40 minutes for food that wasn’t even properly cooked like i asked, and one of my fries portions was missing. i had to ask them where it was and they brought it 20 minutes later, even this in itself proved your customer service is lacking. in the nicest way possible dont run a restaurant if you don’t have basic english comprehension skills or even care about what your customers are saying?

lastly to mention you served underage girls alcohol without ID, fix ur ID system too?

at the end of the day, this one female waiter also needs to be sorted cuz how r u coming in my face with hostility asking about “so can u order something now?” babe talk with some respect, you’re on a fixed wage does it matter if i wanna wait 2 more mins to decide what to order? did u get paid extra to act like you run this place? like everyone at this restaurant thinks they’re on top but you’re in ur mid 30s being a host for a small italian restaurant that thinks it’s acceptable to speak over customers especially young girls

subsequently don’t ever try think this will be forgotten, i will never return to this place and will ensure everyone i know doesn’t either. anyone reading this DONT COME here you will be overcharged, spoken to rudely, be laughed at, stereotyped and recieve slow...

Let me share a journey with you. When I was ten, in 1982, my Dad decided we'd take a coach from London to the Italian Riviera. I was sick most of the way and camped in the loo until another very kind passenger gave me a pill that miraculously knocked me out, thereby freeing up the toilet for others to use on this long journey. Upon arrival we found our accommodation already inhabited, by gnats, which lead to night time battles which are fresh to this day. What started out as a character building exercise ended up as a full blown adoration for authentic Italian pizza. Until then, pizza involved microwaving 3 inch frozen pizza's without toppings & there were no local restaurants available in the sunny Kent area. Which finally leads & gives context to my review ... I finally found the home of the authentic pizza. I've travelled quite a bit & enjoyed many variations but this was coming back to my ten year old self & rediscovering what a real pizza is. It might mean something else to you but to me this was the holy grail of my search for taste perfection. I couldn't fault it. I'd been unable to go to any Italian and not order pizza, in the hope, it could be the one, ever since. Not any more, it exists & it's very reasonably priced & just an hour from home. Not only that but the calamari was the best I've ever tasted, again perfect. The Danielle ham also came in very decent portions and was extremely tasty combined with the lemon and sauce. So well thought out. I did expect a bit of mozzarella in the fried parcel that accompanied it, but maybe I'm looking for the level of that pizza perfection. The cocktails were exquisite if not a wee bit tame & the service attentive considering how busy it was. It's the kind of place that you'd love to keep to yourself but there's absolutely no chance of that given the standard of food that is being consistently delivered to every table, every day. That's not easy at all. Surely it's destined for a bigger stage. I hope the quality is never diluted as for sure we'll be back and will spread the good word. This is real, authentic Italian food made with love and dedication for you at prices you & I can afford. That soundbite doesn't do any credit given the innovation & hard work that undoubtedly is the foundation of this. Congratulations & thank you so much, when you see it & taste it, you say it. p.s. I am available for any future taste testing just in case you're...

Mele e Pere is an absolute gem tucked away in the heart of Soho. When you first step inside, you’re transported into an intimate, nicely lit eatery with circa 15-18 covers and a cool small bar. It's well done, but so far, so Soho. However, descend the stairs, and you enter a different world... Here, you will find a charming Italian trattoria, brimming with warmth, character, and an unmistakable passion for authentic Italian cuisine.

The menu is a love letter to Italy, offering everything from handmade pasta made fresh on-site every day (a nod to the owner, an accomplished chef himself, earning his culinary spurs in a Michelin-starred restaurant and the gastronomic paradise of Bologna) to beautifully crafted small plates that are perfect for sharing. Their creamy burrata, paired with vibrant seasonal ingredients, is a standout starter, and the silky, rich pappardelle with beef ragu is nothing short of perfection, especially when adorned with generous shavings of black truffle. Vegetarians and meat lovers alike will find plenty to choose from on this thoughtfully curated menu.

One of the real highlights at Mele e Pere is their incredible selection of vermouth. As Soho’s original vermouth bar, they boast a dazzling array of house-made options, which the knowledgeable and friendly staff are happy to guide you through at their 2nd bar: a long, elegant marble affair with high leather-backed stools. Whether you're a vermouth connoisseur or a curious novice, sampling their bespoke offerings is a unique experience, especially since it is the only one of its kind in Soho.

The ambience is as exceptional as the food and drink—cosy yet chic, with a playful mix of vintage and contemporary design. The downstairs dining area, with its warm lighting and relaxed vibe, is ideal for a romantic dinner or catching up with friends over an unrushed meal.

Service is impeccable: attentive, genuine, and unpretentious. (Big shout out to the ever genial Fulvio and his team). The staff clearly love what they do, and it shines through in every interaction. You’re made to feel like part of the family, and that’s what truly elevates the experience.

For an authentic slice of Italy in London, Mele e Pere is hard to beat. Whether you're stopping by for a quick aperitivo, a comforting bowl of fresh pasta, or a celebration with friends, this is a place that delivers every...