Former Pied à Terre senior sous to oversee Bancone in London

A former Pied à Terre senior sous chef will oversee new Italian restaurant Bancone when it opens in May.

Louis Korovilas (pictured), who as well as having worked at the Michelin-starred Pied à Terre in London for two years was a sous chef at Locanda Locatelli in London for four years, will be head chef of the new restaurant. Bancone is set to open just off London's Trafalgar Square, serving a modern interpretation of Italian cuisine.

The restaurant is being launched by William Ellner and David Ramsey. Ellner has run his family's restaurant, Joanna's in Crystal Palace, since 2003, while Ramsay is founder and chairman of Soul Food Enterprises, which operates Stax Diner and Boondocks and is led by Bea Vo.

Bancone will open on William IV street at the beginning of May and serve fresh pasta dishes, alongside seasonal small plates. A bar will cater for aperiviti and cicchetti, with the restaurant described as "bright, fresh, and modern", with living walls and glass cabinets for drying pasta.

Dishes such as pappardelle, kid goat and rosemary ragù; garganelli with salsa Genovese; tagliolini, clams, seaweed and purslane; and lamb neck ravioli with spring vegetables, will cost between £6-£12.

Seasonal arancini will change daily, and smaller plates will include celery, anchovy, green olives, mint and bottarga; and charred and pickled artichokes, young rocket and Parmesan snow. A selection of Italian wines will be available by the glass, championing lesser known vineyards and growers.

Robin Gill to relaunch the Manor as Sorella >>

La Tagliata Italian Kitchen opens sister site >>

Videos from The Caterer archives