Breaking news
April 2021. Tragedy strikes with the news that this wonderful period piece is a victim of Covid-19. Apparently a deal with the landlord wa not possible and it's given up the ghost. A great favourite of many famous Londoners – including restaurant critic Fay Maschler and Python Michael Palin – it was something of an in-crowd hit for the labour party. It was where Gordon and Sarah Brown were snapped for baby pics in 2005, and we believe where they had their engagement party.
11 D'Arblay Street, London, W1F 8DT
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Staff could not be nicer” at this veteran Soho Italian, which originally opened in 1971 but has shifted site twice in its lifetime (most recently in 2021, from nearby Poland Street). “The new venue is in the old style and it’s as good as ever”. Fans value “having a reliable, independent Italian in this part of London” and its “delightful”, personal approach particularly underpins its appeal. It also helps that the cooking is “very authentic” and “reliable” too: “standard dishes from a sensibly short menu but nicely done”.
Summary
“Still a special place even though it’s moved site” – this veteran Soho Italian was evicted from its previous Poland Street home over Covid, and found these new digs last year. It still “exudes old world charm” and has retained many of the former “delightful” staff, who are really at the heart of this “unpretentious” experience as much as the “reliable Umbrian/Italian cooking”.
Summary
“Welcome back!” Every cloud has a silver lining and “having been unceremoniously evicted from its longtime Poland Street location during Covid”, this “delightful” Soho veteran has “found a new, better site just round the corner” (it’s actually the second time the restaurant, founded in 1971, has had to move). “Traditional, Tuscan food as it is meant to taste, with a wine list to match” are served by the “superb” staff in a “most convivial” setting. “They are good at remembering their customers” and “it’s a great place to have a conversation, as they play no music”.
Summary
This endearing Soho veteran escaped closure during the pandemic by vacating its home of decades standing to find these new premises just around the corner. Much of its former appeal lay in its pleasing, old-fashioned approach – here’s hoping they keep the best of its traditional virtues on re-opening in mid October 2021. (Founded in 1971, this latest relocation is actually the second in the history of the restaurant, which then shifted to Poland Street from above the Academy cinema in Oxford Street in 1989).
For 33 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Vasco & Piero’s Pavilion?
Owner's description
Vasco and Piero opened the restaurant in 1971 above the much revered, and now sadly lost, Academy cinema in Oxford Street. The Pavilion, a former Hungarian tea room, was owned by the cinema’s founder, and director of the acclaimed ‘Murder in the Cathedral’, George Hoellering.
The Pavilion’s very particular and unusually intricate interior design was the creation of Angus McBean, the celebrated photographer.
Some of our chairs were created by Angus Macbean in 1954 & we still have the pineapples.
In 1989, The Pavilion moved to the current premises at 15 Poland Street
Some of our chairs were created by Angus Macbean in 1954 & we still have the pineapples.
Other chairs have been made in Umbria.
Even the bar was created in Umbria.
The paintings are by an artist in Umbria and are for sale.
We try to blend tradition with modern Umbria
Vasco and Piero created the restaurant out of a passion for good, uncomplicated food. The making of fresh pasta on the premises has always been a priority. From the outset, the menu changed twice a day, a tradition which still continues.
Vasco was born in Umbria and as a result of this many foods are sourced direct from farmers in this region. Particular favourites are truffles, wild mushrooms, seasoned cheeses and cured meats such as lombetto and capocollo.
The Soho location means that The Pavilion attracts a variety of clients and in particular those working in the media, film and fashion businesses.
Our main restaurant can host up to 65 people and the elegant, private room downstairs, which seats 34, can be used for business and private functions.
If you are interested in finding out more about the history of the restaurant or about forthcoming events, please do not hesitate to contact Vasco or Paul on 020 7437 8774
CARTA DI IDENTITA DEI NOSTRI PIATTI:
Our food is based on Umbrian cuisine from central Italy,using just two or three ingredients for each dish. Our philosophy is to keep the dishes simple & fresh.
ANTIPASTI:
We only use the best quality extra virgin olive oil mainly from Umbria, Central Italy.
Many of our hams & salames such as Lombetto (a cured loin of pork) are imported from local Umbrian farms.
When in season, we import black & white truffles from hunters around the hills of Umbria.
Our balsamic vinegar is from Modena. We use Maldon sea salt with pure flaky crystals.
PRIMI PIATTI:
All our flour based pasta such as tortelloni and tagliatelle are hand made on the premises.
Our polenta is stirred constantly for 40 minutes.
Our gnocchi are made in house with floury potatoes.
Our sauces are prepared on a daily basis using the freshest of ingredients.
SECONDI PIATTI:
We use only the freshest meat and fish from Great Britain, France, Italy & other parts of Europe. We do not freeze any meat or fish.
Some herbs are imported directly from Umbria such as wild fennel seeds, used with our grilled breast of duck.
Prices
 Drinks |
|
|---|---|
| Wine per bottle | £30.00 |
| Filter Coffee | £4.00 |
 Extras |
|
|---|---|
| Bread | £3.50 |
| Service | 13.50% |
Restaurant details
Vasco & Piero’s Pavilion Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Nice Italian Restaurant "
"Tops my list of many great Italian restaurants in London, great innovative food, nice atmosphere, friendly and helpful service with useful advice on food and wine."
11 D'Arblay Street, London, W1F 8DT
Opening hours
| Monday | 11:30 am‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Tuesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Wednesday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Thursday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Friday | 12 pm‑3 pm, 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Saturday | 5 pm‑11 pm |
| Sunday | CLOSED |
