25/10/23 - updated with the opening date
Last week we brought you news on what was going to be taking over the old Bright site in London Fields. Now we've got the scoop on what's going in the group's other defunct restaurant site, Peg, on Morning Lane. Dalla sees three Italian friends, all with impressive backgrounds, taking over the snug space and it sounds like they have grand plans.
Hot Dinners talked to Gennaro Leone, one of the trio involved, whose background combines music, design and hospitality. He's teamed up with Mitchell Damota, the ex-head chef at P Franco and Burro e Salvia along with chef Gianmarco Leone who's ex-Claridge's and just so happens to be Gennaro's little brother. And while Mitchell and Gianmarco work on the menu for Dalla, Gennaro has been taking point on the design side of things, which makes sense as he also runs design store and gallery Spazio Leone which focuses on Italian design.
"I always wanted to have a place to share all my passions," he explains, "and have a table with all my friends around it, to share memories."
The food at Dalla will be homestyle Italian cooking, "rediscovering old recipes in a contemporary setting" says Gennaro. That'll mean short, produce-led menus and working with just a few valued suppliers. For wine, the focus will be on Italian and they're hoping that the close relations they have with winemakers will make for an affordable list. Dishes might include Tortellini Bolognesi in doppio brodo di gallina.
If you went to Peg, or its predecessor Legs, you'll know this is a small space with room for just 25 diners. But the interiors will be very different from what they were before with all the furniture and interiors coming from artisan designers in Italy. "We don't want it to be trendy," says Gennaro. "But somewhere you can come back to twice in a week and after 10 years it'll still be good. A peaceful corner in an area that's really crazy busy."
More about Dalla
Where is it? 120 Morning Ln, London E9 6LH
When does it open? 9 November 2023
Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @dalla.restaurant
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