We love Sale e Pepe in Knightsbridge; it has everything we like in a restaurant. White tablecloths, authentic old-school vibe, great food, and staff that have been there forever. Sale e Pepe Mare is their new seafood restaurant and terrace in The Langham hotel. As they are now part of the Thesleff Group (Los Mochis, Viajante87), we were interested to see how that translated.
The Décor/Vibe
As you’d expect for this space, it’s very glossy, with warm lighting and possibly the best-spaced tables in London – perfect for private conversations. A wall of bottles lines the entrance, an indication of the extensive wine list here, and the light streaming in from Regent Street makes things feel upbeat.
The Menu
Any restaurant that has a Champagne trolley is a friend of ours. This is where you want to be for a Friday lunch. Choose a crisp glass from their elegantly suited staff, and start things right. The menu itself is large, and folds out with options; highlights include seafood towers, and dishes like Caesar salad, cacio e pepe, and tiramisu, which are prepared and served tableside.
If their menu is overwhelming, their very reasonable set menu (available 12-6pm) makes things easy, with dishes like burrata with black truffle or vitello tonnato to start; linguine vongole, bucatini cacio e pepe, or various pan-fried fishes for secondi; and for dessert, tiramisu or torta limone.
Highlights
The staff, their house-made olive oil and limoncello, the Champagne trolley, and the dining room – which they say is a nod to Riviera living, and that feels it.
Anything Else
Their terrace is a tucked-away Mediterranean escape in W1, with olive trees and ample space (it’s supposedly the largest terrace in the West End); tables also have candles and blankets for long alfresco nights. We’re wondering if they will be rolling the heat lamps out come autumn/winter. The menu here includes antipasti, pizzas, other small plates, and, of course, drinks.
