Independent restaurant brand Forza Wine opened its debut central London outpost 2 March, landing in the thick of Soho with a new restaurant and terrace on Manette Street. Taking over a prominent corner site, the 100 cover indoor space and 70 seat outdoor terrace marks the group’s largest opening so far; introducing their relaxed approach to seasonal Italian plates, well-priced natural wines, and classic cocktails in one of the capital’s most energetic neighbourhoods.
Founded by childhood friends Bash Redford and Michael Lavery, Forza Wine has built a loyal following from its Peckham rooftop beginnings to its National Theatre home on the South Bank. Soho represents a significant new chapter. “We never considered Soho would have a space to fit our ‘powerful buildings with outside space’ brief, but when we were offered a fully fitted space with a terrace, we had to have a look,” says Redford. “We immediately fell in love and jumped at the challenge of bringing it to life whilst retaining and recycling as much of the existing fit-out as possible.”
The menu continues Forza’s signature ‘Italian-ish’ direction, built around a tight, regularly changing selection of 12 dishes designed for sharing or grazing. Smaller plates such as warm Parmesan brioche and pane carasau with gorgonzola set the tone, followed by larger dishes including cod with winter tomatoes and hazelnuts, pork tenderloin with cabbage and mustard, and ox cheek Genovese ragù. Cult favourites remain, including cauliflower fritti with aioli and the CustardoR, their espresso-spiked crème anglaise, alongside desserts like pistachio olive oil cake and vanilla saffron soft serve with marsala sponge.
Drinks begin with the Forza Fiver, a £5 vermouth served over ice, before moving into classic cocktails and a concise natural wine list starting at £6 a glass. The terrace is open year-round and offers an ideal vantage point for watching Soho life unfold.
Interiors, designed with London-based architects Gundry + Ducker, combine stainless steel, timber, and deep green accents, with floor-to-ceiling windows. An inherited mirrored ceiling acts as a central design feature, with custom signage and light boxes by South East London creative studio Commission adding graphic character to the room alongside a custom analogue clock incorporating the Forza logo, aka Marvin Grape. Downstairs, a circular bar will open later in the year, extending Forza’s presence further into the building.
From Manchester roots to Soho’s restless streets, Forza Wine arrives in Soho with its familiar confident energy uncompromised.
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Forza Wine Soho Photography, Harriet Langford.
