Clove Club trio to open new London restaurant
The team behind Michelin-starred London restaurant the Clove Club is set to open a new sister outlet next month.
Luca, an Italian restaurant, will open in London's Clerkenwell in November.
Its launch follows the opening in March 2013 of Clove Club by Isaac McHale, Daniel Willis and Johnny Smith.
On the decision to cook Italian food in the new St John Street site, McHale said: "Italian food is steeped in tradition and pasta is one of the great foods of the world. I am really excited to celebrate and explore it, while using the amazing seasonal ingredients Britain has to offer.
"The term ‘Britalian' is a good shorthand for what we are doing. We won't be using this phrase anywhere in the restaurant itself but it sums up the approach: we will be using seasonal British ingredients in contemporary cooking inspired by Italy."
The restaurant, open seven days a week, will serve dishes including: spaghettini with Morecambe Bay shrimps and mace butter; rump of Angus beef stuffed with pancetta; and ravioli of grouse with potato and whisky sauce.
There will also be a bar in a separate space, open all day, with a different menu to the main restaurant. Open from 8am to midnight it will offer espresso and pastries in the morning, salads, sandwiches and cold meats at lunchtime and sharing plates in the evening.
The restaurant is designed by Alexander Waterworth Interiors, inspired by 1950s Italy, featuring a sage and blue colour palette accented with pale wood, marble and brass. There will also be a pasta-making room where guests can watch pasta being made fresh each day, transforming into a private dining room at night.
Johnny Smith, who will be moving from the Clove Club to run Luca full time said: "The ambience and service at Luca will capture the genuinely welcoming spirit of Italian hospitality and the warmth of the family table. Italy produces some of the finest wines on the planet, and we have created a list that brings together the iconic producers, some lesser known gems, and delicious wines at every price point."
Clove Club to issue pre-paid tickets to deter no-shows >>
Young Turks chefs to run three-month restaurant at the Ten Bells >>
