Former Barrafina chef to head up new restaurant launch
A former Barrafina chef is to head up the kitchen at a new Latin American restaurant and bar in London's Kensington.
Zuaya, owned by Spanish twin brothers Alberto and Arian Zandi, will open in High Street Kensington on 20 July.
Head chef of the 85-cover venue, Francisco Lafee, was previously sous chef at the Michelin-starred Barrafina in Dean Street, and prior to that worked as head chef of Chateau Claud-Bellevue in France.
Dishes will draw on inspiration from countries including Peru, Argentina and Mexico, and will include the likes of Zuaya ceviche (wild turbot ceviche with raspberry, orange, pink grapefruit, physalis and leche de tigre) and purple taco with 18-hour slow cooked lamb neck, ras el hanout, smoked cinnamon pineapple and coriander.
Average spend at the venue, designed by Harp Interiors, is expected to be £55-60.
The 2,500 sq ft restaurant is set across two floors and includes a ground floor marble bar, a 66-cover indoor dining area, and a 12-cover outdoor terrace with a separate bar.
The Zandi brothers, from Madrid, are first-time restaurateurs, having previously worked as management consultants in London.
Alberto Zandi said: "My brother and I are delighted to see Zuaya come to fruition. Our aim is to provide a new customer experience in London from a gastronomic, design and service perspective. We also have an outstanding team on board with experience from some of the world's best restaurants and can't wait to open our doors to diners."
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