A Taste Of Italy At Selfridge’s Obika Restaurant

Obika, the sophisticated mozzarella bar and restaurant on the second floor of Selfridges is now serving real Aperitivo Italiano - a wide range of freshly made canapés, finger food, snacks and bruschette which will be available between 6pm and 9pm every Thursday, included in the price of the first drink (£7 for a glass of wine or soft drink, and £9 for an alcoholic cocktail).

Aperitif time in Italy has always meant that moment at the end of the day when people stop and relax with a glass of wine or Campari and has increasingly become a chance to network and meet new people; a pleasant end to the working day or the start of a night out.

Obika is open daily from the morning until evening, serving teas, coffees and traditional Italian hot chocolate with cakes and pastries for breakfast and ‘inbetween’, as well as an à la carte menu of Italian dishes prepared by head chef Erik Paternoster.

The restaurant’s speciality mozzarella comes from selected producers in the Paestum and the Piana del Volturno areas around Naples, and is served with a selection of Italian artisan produce, for example Mortadella di Parma, N’duja (spicy, spreadable salami), wild boar peppery Salame, Culatello (the very rear of a pig), Caponata alla Siciliana and smoked swordfish.

The menu also features salads (in starter and main course portions), ‘primi piatti’ pasta dishes, and desserts. A special early evening menu offers the pasta of the day and salad with a glass of wine for £9.95.

The wine list provides several highlights including both renowned Italian labels and new finds.

The restaurant offers a Japanese-inspired design with wooden tables and chairs arranged in the buzzy, open space. The produce is on display in glass cases, and the selection of wine bottles are arranged as a decorative feature on one wall. Stefano Potorti oversees the friendly service.

Obika is located in the Superbrands section on the second floor of Selfridges, 400 Oxford Street, London W1A 1AB.

Obika is open daily from 9.30am (10am Monday and midday on Sunday) until 8pm (9pm Thursday, 6pm Sunday).

For more information, visit Obika.co.uk.