28 November 2005

A Load of Balls

Obika Mozzarella Bar Opens

Strictly Come Dancing. Richard & Judy. The Eurovision Song Contest.

We all love a bit of cheese.

And a highly superior source of the stuff can be found at the new Obika Mozzarella Bar at Selfridges, which serves some of the tastiest mozzarella di bufala Campana and Piana del Volturno this side of Rome. This isn’t the cheap, stodgy stuff you get in blocks from the supermarket; this comes in round, juicy balls which are flown in daily from Italy and kept fresh in large glass tanks.

You can have it smoked, grilled, baked, on its own or with an array of Italian delicacies such as ciauscolo di visso (salami spread), prosciutto di cinghiale (wild boar prosciutto) or acciughe de Sicilia (Sicilian anchovies). And there are plenty of traditional antipasti, lots of fresh pasta, a degustazioni menu and an impressive wine list.

As cheese goes, this place is up there with Terry Wogan in the style department.

And worthy of twelve points, for sure.

Obika,  Selfridges & Co (second floor),  400 Oxford Street, W1 (08708 377377).