Almeida to close and relaunch under Francesco Mazzei
D&D London is to close its Almeida restaurant in London's Islington after 15 years and relaunch it as an Italian eaterie under chef Francesco Mazzei.
Almeida, just off Upper Street, will close on 1 January 2017 for a complete refurbishment ahead of its March reopening.
The name of the new venture has not yet been announced.
Mazzei, who already runs Sartoria on Savile Row for D&D London, plans to focus on his southern Italian roots for the revamped restaurant. He will also take Islington, the area he and his family have made their home, as an inspiration.
D&D London currently runs 34 restaurants and a hotel. While most of them are located in the capital, it also runs Crafthouse and Angelica in the Leeds Trinity shopping centre, as well as venues in Paris, New York and Tokyo.
It is set to launch Aster, under chef Helena Puolakka, in London's Victoria early next year.
Mazzei was previously head chef of L'Anima in London EC2 until he became chef-patron of Sartoria in 2015.
Sartoria closing for refurbishment on 31 August >>
