The London restaurant world this week mourned the passing of Russell Norman, creator of Polpo, Spuntino and Trattoria Brutto, who has died suddenly at the age of 57. Born and brought up in London’s northwestern outskirts, Russell was a host of legendary charm host who cut his teeth in the trade as a barman-turned-restaurant manager […]
A new Italian neighbourhood restaurant has opened on the former site of hip natural wine bar Peg, in Hackney’s Morning Lane. Dalla has been created by Naples-born brothers Gennaro and Gianmarco (ex-Claridge’s) Leone, along with Mitchell Damota, former head chef at P Franco. Gennaro, who runs the design gallery Spazio Leone in Lower Clapton, has […]
Rosso, the glossy Manchester Italian restaurant co-owned by former footballer Rio Ferdinand, has closed down after 14 years. Its management said it was “the right time to go at the height of our popularity“. Well-known for its inevitable celebrity clientele, Rosso won wider renown in the city for its illuminated Valentine’s Day and Christmas decorations […]
Chelsea’s Enoteca Turi, famous for its list of Italian wines, has been acquired by a trio of industry professionals, allowing founders Giuseppe and Pam Turi to retire after 33 years at the helm. The new owners (pictured) are Dominic Ford (formerly Harvey Nichols restaurant & food director, and before that of L’Escargot) and Krishan Katyal […]
American-Italian restaurant Lavo is to launch its first European branch in Marylebone this month – the latest in a rash of upscale Italian-inspired openings from international operators in London this autumn. Lavo was founded in New York in 20 years ago by Noah Tepperberg of the Tao Group and took off as a brand following the […]
Fast-growing Manchester pasta specialist Sud has opened its first branch in the city centre, on the site of the infamous 1819 Peterloo Massacre. Sud joins the highly rated Basque outfit Baratxui, formerly of Ramsbottom, and modern Scandi small plates specialist Osma at Exhibition, a new food and drink destination in the city’s former natural history […]
Hong Kong-based restaurateur David Yeo is adding two Italian venues to his growing Aqua London portfolio this year – the informal Luci, which opened in Covent Garden last month, followed by Azzurra, a more upscale seafood specialist in Chelsea. Aqua already has six restaurants in London, covering cuisines from East Asia to Spain – Hutong and […]
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 […]
Cage fighter ‘Meatball Molly’ McCann is to open an Italian-inspired kitchen and deli in her native Liverpool next month. Polpetta – ‘meatball’ in Italian – will be in the Baltic Market street-food centre and serve classic Italian comfort food. Molly has made her name as one of Britain’s top women mixed martial artists, competing in the […]
Fresh pasta restaurant Bancone is to open its “biggest branch yet” in Borough Yards, adjacent to Southwark’s Borough Market – putting it in direct competition with pasta pioneer Padella. Bancone launched in Covent Garden in 2018 and followed up with a branch in Soho. Last year the business raised £900,000 via crowdfunding to finance expansion plans. […]
