As an Italian, entering Il Macellaio RC felt like stepping into a home away from home. It’s a sophisticated yet warm and welcoming place, with attentive and friendly staff.
I had the pleasure of trying Roberto Costa’s cuisine last Friday, and when my Italian friends usually ask me, “Is the food good in London?” I always reply that it depends on where you go, and the secret is knowing the best spots.
Now, you too can add this Soho restaurant to your list.
Named "Il Teatro Della Carne" (literally "the theatre of meat"), Macellaio RC Soho pays homage to its location adjacent to the esteemed Gielgud and Sondheim theatres, renowned for productions like "2:22 A Ghost Story" and "Les Misérables."
At the heart of this culinary "performance," the spotlight shines on premium ingredients, with chefs and waitstaff adding a theatrical flair to the dining experience. The restaurant's 120-seat space is designed akin to a theatre, where the kitchen and bar serve as the main stage.
Spanning two levels, including a mezzanine with views of the central kitchen, the decor blends rustic charm with elegance, reminiscent of a traditional Italian butcher shop.
Solid wood tables, walls adorned with butcher tools, and vintage black-and-white photographs contribute to a cosy and welcoming ambience.
Soft lighting and subtle background music create a perfect setting for both intimate dinners and gatherings with friends.
The menu is a paradise for meat and Italian food lovers. The house speciality is grilled meat, sourced from select farms and expertly prepared. The art of meat cutting is celebrated here, with options ranging from succulent Florentine steaks to rib-eye steaks, all cooked to perfection and served with traditional sides like roasted potatoes and grilled vegetables.
My meal started with a delightful charcuterie board, accompanied by the typical Recco focaccia with stracchino cheese (a rarity in London!).
This was followed by a taste of homemade pesto gnocchi, which even my neighbour from Genoa approved of.
Then came the pièce de résistance, a huge Fassona rib-eye steak. I rarely eat meat, but when I do, I like to indulge, and I found myself savouring my main, which melted like butter.
The steak was tender and flavorful, with a crispy crust and a succulent centre, cut into thick slices and simply seasoned with a touch of flaky sea salt.
Of course, everything was accompanied by excellent red wine!
Roberto Costa is from Genoa, a vibrant city in Northwest Italy renowned for its culinary delights like pesto, farinata, and focaccia, and is one of the region's largest port cities. His culinary journey began early, at just 17, when he started assisting his mother in preparing her famous minestrone soup with pesto at their family-run Trattoria I dui Fre in Genoa's suburbs.
Three years later, Roberto embarked on his own venture with the opening of Pagura Bernarda Restaurant, igniting his passion for the hospitality industry. Over the years, he expanded his footprint in Genoa with several successful restaurants and bars. In 2003, equipped with extensive knowledge and experience, he founded Maxela Ristorante Macelleria, which quickly grew to include branches across Italy in cities like Milan, Rome, Turin, Livorno, Modena, Rimini, and Isola d’Elba.
Inspired by the success of Maxela in Italy and driven to introduce the finest produce from his homeland to new audiences, Costa embraced a new challenge by relocating to London.
There, he opened the first Macellaio RC in South Kensington, marking a significant chapter in his culinary career dedicated to showcasing Italian gastronomy abroad.
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