Guy Ivesha, (the Maslow’s Founder - the group behind NESSA and 1 WARWICK, Soho and MORTIMER HOUSE, Fitzrovia) and Executive Chef Tom Cenci announce their next venture - an Italian concept at MORTIMER HOUSE KITCHEN. This February, Cenci will take the reins at the popular Fitzrovia spot, with a vibrant Italian-inspired menu.

MORTIMER HOUSE KITCHEN will draw on Italian influences from Cenci’s family summers spent in Orta San Giulio, Piedmont and towns along the Amalfi coast. Here he developed an appreciation for the simplicity of Italian cooking, with its emphasis on the freshest ingredients and family style dining, aligned with Cenci’s natural style. The menu starts with a selection of scarpetta (a bread course ‘to scoop’ up sauces) and antipasti plates designed to share, followed by larger pasta dishes and classics reimagined, championing both British and Italian produce. Highlights from the menu include:

Crispy polenta and parmesan mayonnaise
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Zucchini caesar with parmesan and pangrattato
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Carne cruda, n’duja, bruschetta
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Calamarata, prawns, tomato, chilli
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Maccheroni with taleggio with truffle and black pepper
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Chicken or aubergine parmigiana with marinara sauce (with the optional addition of fresh spaghetti with cured egg yolk on the side)
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Sea Bass alla Mugnaia, caviar, samphire
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Sirloin steak served on focaccia, with charred onions
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Torta 900 - a traditional chocolate cake from Turin
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Cannoli with sweet ricotta and pistachio

MORTIMER HOUSE’S bar manager Massimo Golfetto (previously at The Standard, London) has worked with Cenci to create a menu of nostalgic, classic cocktails inspired by Italian heritage including the Milano-Bassano (Grappa Moscato, Cocchi Torino, Campari and strawberry) and a refreshing Alba (Campari, Kwai Feh, La Yuzu, grapefruit soda and prosecco). Also on offer is a list of no and low cocktails such as Bollicine (Noughty sparkling wine with elderflower and lemonade) and Brezza (Pentire Adrift, green tea, lime and agave). Alongside this is a list of Italian wines including sparkling such as Cuvée dei Frati Brut produced on the shores of Lake Garda in Northern Italy.

The restaurant will serve a breakfast menu featuring the likes of Italian baked eggs on focaccia; punchy n’duja bruschetta with whipped ricotta and poached eggs; the Caprese muffin served with avocado, burrata and fried egg; and Tuscan beans on toast - a refreshing take on a classic. Weekend brunch will see the addition of pan dulcis with Amarena cherries; and pancakes with ricotta, Amalfi lemon curd and maple syrup.

MORTIMER HOUSE KITCHEN is housed in an art deco building in the heart of Fitzrovia. The 90-cover dining room, on the ground floor of private members’ house MORTIMER HOUSE, is full of the aesthetic character associated with the Maslow’s group and provides an ideal setting for long lunches and atmospheric evening dining. Large windows flood the room with natural light, overlooking Mortimer and Wells streets, where there will be a further 45 covers for al fresco drinking and dining during the warmer months. The Conservatory, a private, intimate space positioned at the back of the main dining room, seats up to 20 guests to enjoy a feasting menu with a backdrop of green foliage and open brick walls.

This comes nearly a year after the successful opening of Ivesha and Cenci’s collaboration on Soho restaurant, NESSA. Also joining the team at MORTIMER HOUSE KITCHEN will be head chef Tim Connor who has previously been part of the team at NESSA and general manager Grace Trozado (previously The Standard).

Maslow’s founder Guy Ivesha comments, ‘The last year has been a big one for Maslow’s with the opening of 1 WARWICK in Soho and I am so proud of what we have created with Tom at NESSA. He is a hugely creative chef and brilliant leader so I am very excited to extend our partnership to MORTIMER HOUSE KITCHEN.’

Executive chef Tom Cenci says, ‘Life in Italy revolves around mealtimes - it’s all about family feasting, preparing fresh ingredients and using the best local produce. I’ve always loved this style of cooking and am excited to welcome people to share this with me and the team this year.’

MORTIMER HOUSE KITCHEN will officially open under Cenci’s direction on Monday 5th February 2024.