Inside the latest Soho Retreats around our European Houses

In the Houses, our members regularly come together to enjoy good food while surrounded by great art – two things that we’ve always been passionate about. These two things also provided the subject matter for the latest Soho Retreats, our series of enriching escapes in and around the Houses.

Over the past couple of months, we’ve hosted a culinary journey at Soho House Rome, and another at Babington House in the English countryside. We’ve also hosted an art-filled escape at Soho House Berlin. Read on to discover all of the highlights from these cultural getaways. 

Soho Retreat Rome in partnership with Antler 
Friday 15 to Sunday 17 March

One of the world’s culinary capitals, Rome provided an idyllic spot for a food-focused weekend. On Friday afternoon, members arrived at Soho House Rome with complimentary Antler suitcases in hand, before heading to the former pasta factory, Fondazione Pastificio Cerere. Here, they learnt to make an aperitivo while sipping on Negronis, before heading back to the House for dinner at Cecconi’s Terrazza. 

Saturday began with a tour of the city on traditional Italian vespas, followed by a street-food tour with Michelin-starred chef Davide Puleio to sample suppli (a risotto snack similar to arancini) and traditional Roman-style pizza. In the evening, a four-course dinner was served in the private cellar of Pierluigi.

The final day began with a lesson in making the perfect Italian coffee – followed by a Negroni masterclass led by Patrick Pistolesi, owner of Roman cocktail bar Drink Kong. The retreat ended with the Soho House Sunday Feast – an unlimited spread featuring Italian classics such as lasagna. 

Soho Retreat Babington House 
Tuesday 19 to Thursday 21 March 

In Somerset, we showcased the best of British produce at a two-day food escape at Babington House. After settling into their bedrooms, guests enjoyed lunch featuring seasonal ingredients grown in the House’s Walled Garden, followed by local cider tasting, expert-guided foraging, and an afternoon tea.

In the evening, members visited Margot Henderson’s 17th-century pub, The Three Horseshoes. Henderson, who also owns Rochelle Canteen in London’s Shoreditch, prioritises a farm-to-table ethos, reflected in a menu that included Leeks Gribiche, Potted Pork and pickled prunes, Chicken, Pork and Trotter Pie, and Treacle Tart.

The following day began with brunch with guest chef Gill Meller, before members enjoyed 
a pastry-making workshop with pastry chef Ravneet Gill, a British cheese tasting hosted by Westcombe Dairy, and dinner by Michelin-starred chef, Merlin Labron-Johnson, in the Log Room. The evening finished with an intimate fireside chat with renowned chef and restaurateur, Marco Pierre White. 

Thursday morning started with a gut health-boosting breakfast from ZOE nutritionist Dr Federica Amati. And to close the retreat, Babington House Head Chef, Dionas Frank, led a pasta masterclass and members received a picnic hamper filled with locally sourced produce to take away with them.

Soho Retreat Berlin in partnership with Antler 
Friday 22 to Sunday 24 March 

Our first-ever art-focused retreat began with a private tour of Soho House Berlin’s art collection – which includes pieces by Damien Hirst and Francesco Gioacchini – with Soho House Chief Art Director, Kate Bryan, followed by dinner at Cecconi’s.

Breakfast and a self-portrait session with artists Daniel Marin Medina and Jai Mayhew kicked off the following day, then members headed out for a private guided tour around the Boros Collection. Back at the House, Bryan hosted a Q&A followed by a private tour of the Fotografiska museum, as well as dinner in its restaurant, Verōnika. 

On the final day of the retreat, German artist Tobias Vetter hosted a painting class, leading members through a theoretical introduction to colour, before they each painted their very own still life.

Visit our events page for more details on what’s happening around the Houses this month