Daroco

It’s no secret that you’re impacted by your surroundings, and the staff at Daroco are seemingly products of their environment mirroring the fun interiors with their bouncy disposition. It’s a welcome that immediately makes you feel relaxed while you settle into the buzzy Soho surroundings.

Attracting a stylish crowd, the restaurant is furnished with velvet banquettes that are carved into semi circles, cosy booths and long swathes of seating. These are upholstered in mustard, rose, azure and olive fabrics and allow for a complete range of set-ups, from intimate parties of two through to spaces that are all-out party worthy. There are marble tables, mosaic floors, a mirrored ceiling and walls, and sculptural lighting too. It’s a proper little firecracker that’s not taking itself too seriously.

The fun and playful notes continue with cocktails; well made and juicy versions of classics like Aperol Spritzes are served in big fat servings and delivered with aplomb by the well dressed team.

Ideal for sharing, the star of the nibbly bits are well made arancini that give way to molten cheese. They’re crispy on the outside, warm and yielding on the inside and have stringy mozzarella centres that deliver on crowd-appeal. Mains include a puffed up aubergine parmigiana pizza, with spots of char from the oven and a bright tomato base. There’s also a rich salt cod pasta, and a lobster paccheri which has a light bisque-like sauce and generous chunks of meat. A warning to those particular about their pasta however; everything is very al dente, so ask for it to be cooked for slightly longer if you prefer less bite.

Puddings are joyfully generous, with plenty to satisfy sweet tooths. Think a big scoop of rich chocolate mousse drizzled in grassy olive oil and a sprinkling of sea salt plus a refined take on a tiramisu.

Hit Parisian restaurant Daroco arrives in London for its first international venture, fusing captivating Parisian design with sun-kissed Italian cuisine. Daroco's three Parisian sites have been hugely popular in the French capital. For the first time ever the group is expanding outside of its home city, embracing London's vibrant dining scene with its first international opening. 

Alexandre Giesbert, Julien Ross, and Nico de Soto, the trio behind this venture, once again showcase their talent for creating exquisite experiences by combining authentic Italian flavors with unique locations. The trendy Parisian restaurant arrives in an equally trendy London location - the pink-shaded Ilona Rose House in Soho, which also houses restaurants like Milk Beach and Kapara.

Chief architect Olivier Delannoy sets the scene with atypical interior design, inspired by the historical movement of the Renaissance. From the grand counter that opens into the room, to the mirrored ceiling - a central element present in all of the Daroco group's restaurants - Daroco is thoroughly design-led. The combination of marble and wood details blends harmoniously with a mixture of plants and brass, evoking the ambiance of an English garden. Elsewhere, there's a magnificent pizza oven, which churns out pizzas to feed the large dining room. 

On the table, you'll find a selection of classic Italian dishes, such as squid ink spaghetti with mussels, pappardelle with beef ragu, truffle pizza, and tiramisu, just to give you an idea. In keeping with the founders' preference for originality, the menu features pizzas with baroque names, adding a unique touch to each flavour. All ingredients are fresh and handcrafted, and the variety of pasta shapes available, such as pappardelle, linguine, and trofie, proves this dedication.

Underneath Daroco there's a little surprise - a hidden cocktail bar called Wacky Wombat, where globetrotting bartender Nico de Soto distills his imaginative mixes.