Italian restaurant to open in London Fields as it launches crowdfunding bid

27 November 2014 by
Italian restaurant to open in London Fields as it launches crowdfunding bid

A new Italian restaurant and delicatessen called Il Cudega is to open in London's London Fields in March 2015, in tandem with a crowdfunding campaign for an outdoors space.

From Italian-born Giovanni Brighi (who has lived in Hackney for 20 years), and business partner and childhood friend Luca Gaggioli from Milan, the 45-50 cover site will be housed under railway arches, and serve all-day dishes inspired by the Lombardy region.

Menu options will include breakfast and lunch, and dinner choices such as the classic risotto giallo saltato (thinly-fried saffron risotto), and zabaglione, plus lesser-known specialities such as rustin nega (veal roasted in white wine). There will be an outdoor stall serving to-go dishes too, while the delicatessen will offer wine and products, such as Raspadura cheese (a soft grana padano), slinzega bresaola, and goose prosciutto.

Although funding for the initial restaurant is in place, the duo has also set up a crowdfunding page on the indigogo.com website to raise money for a proposed communal, public outdoors area that the site will share with the businesses in the adjoining railway arches (a nursery and a mixed retail brand).

Aiming to raise £18,000 in total, the team is hoping to build a courtyard named "Fount London", with a fruit and vegetable garden, 30 seats, bike racks, and outdoor food stall. Anyone donating money via the site will receive rewards ranging from recipe cards, charcuterie and cheese hampers, homemade jam, a ceramic plate, cooking courses, and wine tasting classes.

If the team fails to raise its suggested total, it will receive nothing from the initiative. Donations are being accepted until 9 January, via the website.

Commenting on the new opening, Gaggioli said: "Our aim is to introduce Hackney's local community to the pleasures of the traditional food, wine and culture of Lombardy. We believe it's worth it!"

Brighi added: "We feel honoured to be part of such an exciting and evolving community, as is the case in London Fields. As my family has benefited from this area we want to give something back to the community."

Hackney restaurant Mayfields to close >>

Lardo appoints new executive chef >>

Pizza Pilgrims to open second permanent site >>

The Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email

Start the working day with The Caterer’s free breakfast briefing email

Sign Up and manage your preferences below

Check mark icon
Thank you

You have successfully signed up for the Caterer Breakfast Briefing Email and will hear from us soon!

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.

close

Ad Blocker detected

We have noticed you are using an adblocker and – although we support freedom of choice – we would like to ask you to enable ads on our site. They are an important revenue source which supports free access of our website's content, especially during the COVID-19 crisis.

trade tracker pixel tracking