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After more than two decades at the helm of Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli, Giorgio Locatelli is opening a new London restaurant.
On May 10, alongside his wife Plaxy, the acclaimed Italian chef will launch Locatelli on the mezzanine of the Sainsbury wing in the National Gallery, in a partnership with Searcys. Alongside the restaurant will be Bar Giorgio, serving espresso and maritozzi, the brioche buns from Rome.
The opening is Locatelli’s first since he and Plaxy abruptly announced in December of last year that Locanda would close after almost 23 years of service.
As is par for the course for Locatelli, the restaurant will serve seasonal Italian food, with dishes including pappardelle with broad beans, pecorino and rucola; braised veal ravioli with parsley gremolata; and ribeye steak with aubergine, red onion and cherry tomatoes. The wine list will be entirely Italian. The bar downstairs will not be a cocktail bar, but an espresso bar, somewhere for coffee and a snack.
The restaurant comes as part of the reopening of the Sainsbury wing, which has been closed for a two-and-a-half-year renovation.
“Opening Locatelli at the National Gallery is an extraordinary moment for Plaxy and I, and such an honour for the next chapter in our culinary journey to be housed in such a landmark space; surrounded by history and creativity, where great paintings of the past inspire new ideas for our future,” said Locatelli of the announcement. The setting, he added, is apt: “Caravaggio has always been such a huge inspiration for me, and so to cook under the gaze of his work is a dream come true.
“His dramatic use of light and shadow resonate strongly within this setting, and we are excited to bring that same boldness and authenticity to our menu. From Italian classics to seasonal creations, we can’t wait to welcome guests to experience the beauty and warmth of our cuisine, in such a prestigious and inspiring setting.”
Pictures of the new restaurant are yet to be released, but a smart room of dark timber, marble and velvet is expected. Artwork in the room will include Paula Rego’s Crivelli's Garden, which was commissioned for the original National Gallery restaurant, when the Sainsbury wing first opened.
Sir Gabriele Finaldi, director of the National Gallery, said of the news: “It is a pleasure to welcome distinguished chef and broadcaster, Giorgio Locatelli, into the National Gallery family, enriching the excellent food and beverage offer we have for visitors. I look forward to a scrumptious Italian menu inspired by National Gallery paintings in our new Sainsbury Wing restaurant, Locatelli, and one of the best espressos in town at Bar Giorgio on the ground floor.”
Locatelli will open on May 10 inside the National Gallery. For more information, visit @locatelli_nationalgallery
