Simplicity and good value remain key to success, says Soho restaurateur
Monty’s Wine Bar & Restaurant, a 60-cover Italian restaurant in Wells Street, will officially launch next month after an initial soft-launch period for locals.
Despite this being such a highly-populated area for restaurants, the venue’s owner Guzaliya Bektemissova believes, with the right strategy, Monty’s will still be able to stand out from the crowd.
“The area we are located in is full of different venues where people can eat and drink,” Bektemissova told BigHospitality. “But we believe that what makes us special is that we provide quality food as well as homemade pastas and bread with many of our ingredients being supplied straight from Italian producers.
“Also we have a big selection of amazing wines at a reasonable price, exclusive to us. We will have great set lunch menu, which provides a tasty, healthy lunch with desert as an option for a very reasonable price.
“Monty's is a place where you can just pop in for a drink or have a full lunch or dinner with friends in relaxing atmosphere.”
On the menu
Overseen by manager Antonio Cerilli, Monty’s Wine Bar & Restaurant will offer a selection of Italian ‘cichetti’, with ingredients and produce sourced from artisan producers in Italy.
Head chef Dionisio Randazzo has created the menu, which includes homemade tagliolini fresh crab and bottagra; grilled cuttlefish fennel salad with salmoriglio dressing; and 35-day aged grilled rib eye steak. A charcutterie menu of fine hams, cheeses and small plates will also be available.
“We love quality simple food made of healthy, natural ingredients,” added Bektemissova. “We also love exploring Italy and its cuisine and are excited by new products from different regions.”
Expansion plans
Renowned sommelier Antonio Cerilli, who has previously worked at Le Pont de la Tour and Locanda Locatelli has devised the wine list which includes new, ‘undiscovered’ wines from boutique wineries in countries such as Germany, France and Slovenia.
The interior of Monty’s Wine Bar & Restaurant consists of neutral tones of grey, green and cream, with an extensive wine wall as customers enter the venue and continued by suspended frames of wine adorning the walls throughout. The venue also boasts a beautiful outside area, and a downstairs private events space, which can accommodate up to 28 for a seated dinner and up to 50 for a cocktail party.
When asked about the potential of expanding the Monty’s concept, Bektemissova said it is something they would explore, but only based on the success of this first site.
Monty’s Wine Bar & Restaurant is situated on the former site of Soho Japan, at 52 Wells Street. It will officially open on Monday, 1 July.
