A new Italian restaurant with a retro New York theme declaring itself “proudly gay-owned” opened in the heart of Soho’s ‘gay village’ this week, coinciding with the annual LGBTQ+ Pride celebrations.

Nima Safei (pictured) launched 64 Old Compton Street as a sibling to his 40 Dean Street just around the corner, which he opened 15 years ago – and where he often has to turn away customers because it is so busy.

He said, “Despite their close proximity, they’re very much their own restaurants with their own personalities – 40 is the older gay brother who’s been around for a while and knows where the party’s at, while 64 is the cool lesbian sister who’s new on the scene but intends to make her presence felt. I hope people will love them equally!”

Nima designed the new restaurant himself, taking inspiration from New York night club Studio 54 and decking it out with antiques and curtains. The menu of “affordably priced” Italian food – pizza, pasta and risottos, along with salads and baked dishes – is complemented by a list of Italian and French wines with no bottle costing over £50, and of course cocktails.

64 Old Compton Street has taken over the site of Clean Kitchen Club, a vegan specialist which closed down in February after only 18 months.