Obika Mozzarella Bar (Selfridges)

Me and my girls discovered Obika accidentaly, while shopping in selfridges during the sale time. It is a great place for quick snack during the lunch and perfect for long and relaxing conversations after the hard day of shoping. And I am loving the aperitivo nights.
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Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, July 08, 2008

Yesterday I swallowed superlative Martinis in unusual surroundings. The Dirty version, tear-saltily kissed by olive brine, was irresistibly sippable: poised and voluptuous. It flew in moments. My initial thirst quenched: a leisurely sequel. My Appletini had a moreish, beautifully blended malic tartness. The setting, Obika Mozzarella Bar, flanked by fashion franchises in 'Women's Superbrands', Selfridges.

I met Stefano, Director of this contemporary homage to Italy’s greatest fromage in Puglia three months ago. We tasted various versions of spankingly fresh hand neaded curd, from fior di latte (unpasteurised cow's milk) to the more flavoursome water buffalo.

In recent times its repute has been drawn into dispute because of an abundance of low rent imitatiors (many made in this country) and mafia intervention. The latter provided an complex and emotive time for producers. According to The Independent, 'high levels of dioxins' were found to contaminate buffalo milk in over 80 dairies in Campania. The Camorra Mafia, in charge of waste 'management', were openly blamed. Faced with overcrowded rubbish dumps, it seems they indulged in noxious dispersal over agricultural pastures.

Fortunately, it seems scandal has subsided, indeed Obika's future looks bright white. As Stefano prepares to launch a second London restaurant (they are already represented in Milan, Rome and New York - Turin and Kuwait coming soon) I thought it time to check out their existing venture.

After crunchy, lightly charred bruschettini, I tasted the main attraction: paper white, water buffalo Mozzarella, which is flown from Naples within hours of production. If I had more time and a willing collaborator, I would have chosen the Mozzarella tasting plate, spied at another table. This medley of delicate Paestum, stronger Pontina, smoked and fragile, creamy Stracciatella di Burrata looked tantalising.

My brief foray into the Pontina was entirely satisfactory however, the outside of the pearl firm and resistant, the inside melting like a fresh meringue. In the mouth, the supple, creamy, mildly salty and distantly lactic, slightly grassy tastes fused coherently. Subtly smoked salmon, chosen from a long list of suitors, provided a complementary textural partnership. Spicy salami, so moist it almost spread across my toast, added intrigue, but fought with the salmon (my fault for marrying the trio).

Incidentally, I remember a Foggiano with a wicked glint in his eye telling me that the best mozarella globes should have the consistency of a pert breast(!)
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Douglas Blyde
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Saturday, June 21, 2008

I have been for lunch at Obika with two friends last Saturday.

The restaurant was almost full but the one of the waiters has immediately welcomed us in friendly way and he has quickly accompanied us to our table. Our waiter asked what we wanted to drink and later he has suggested us some specialties.' We have taken the tasting of mozzarellas and that of meats.

The burrata was simply delicious. Every thing remembers the Italian tastes. The atmosphere was pleasant and the Italian music completed the picture.

A place to be recommended to the friends: good food and smiling service.
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Shaun
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Saturday, February 23, 2008

a lovely place to spend a couple of hours in with your friends
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Martin
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, December 18, 2007

The idea is clearly to present Italian food in a stylish non clichéd way and it succeeds. I had lunch there. It has a vibrant welcoming atmosphere. It’s clearly popular with a mixture of people, from shoppers to business lunchers. The Italian waiting staff are pleasant attentive

An excellent Buffalo Mozzarella .
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Simon
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Saturday, June 02, 2007

Grossly overpriced and mediocre, especially for a dept store. Fistly we were told they ran out of regular mozzarella (this is a mozzarella bar!). We had to keep asking to be served as it was so slow ,but the final blow was the bill - 2 plates of pasta, 2 glasses or rose wine and 1 bottle of mineral water for £50!! We could have eaten better at any Carluccio's for half the price. I am very surprised and dissapointed with Selfridges.
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Terry Coyne
Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 5 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 1
Wednesday, May 30, 2007

Stylish and trendy, Obika combines the best italian food with a fast and competent service. I`ve been here first just for my lunch and I`ve been nicely surprised so that I had to return the next week for an afternoon break and I`ve been againg delighted. I strongly recomend this place!
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laura
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Tuesday, April 24, 2007

Obika is a great place to spend aafternoon out with your girlfriends having drinks and chatting about the latest fashion trends!!

The atmospehere there is very cool as everyone is very friendly and you feel at home!
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Sara
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, October 09, 2006

If you want excellent food at reasonable prices and wonderful cosy atmosphere Obika is the place to go!!!
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Charlotte
Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Monday, October 09, 2006

When you have products of that quality you can only succeed.

A must when you are in the neighbourhood.

Will definitely go again.
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La Terrasse - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 10
Monday, September 11, 2006