If a restaurant takes as its influence the places a chef has lived and worked in, then in the case of chef Ricardo Younis Moreno you can expect a lively mix of Argentine, Mexican, and Peruvian flavors. Born in Argentina, with Italian and Lebanese heritage the chef has now landed in London where he's now working on bringing his restaurant Alfonsina to the London food scene.
Ricardo, who most recently worked for Ricker Restaurants (La Bodega Negra and Stoke House) was previously at La Mar by Gaston Acurio across the pond in San Francisco. There he picked up a passion for cebiche and Peruvian food. Alfonsina, which is taking shape on Long Lane by Smithfield Market is named after a beach in his home town of Mar del Plata, south of Buenos Aires.
He told Hot Dinners that Alfonsina "will be a mix of Latin American cuisines in a fusion style... It will not be a surprise if we find in the menu a pasta or a fatay, which are well-grounded dishes in Argentina. I have worked and lived in many countries. So I’m also strongly influenced by Mexico and Brazil, places where I worked and lived for several years. And you will find some amazing dishes from Peru."
Moreno's business partner Mariska van Beukering says there'll be room for 40 diners in the ground floor dining room, "with the terrace and the downstairs bar area to be added soon after. As for the drinks list, "We'll be serving cocktails like Pisco Sours and Margaritas, alongside craft beers and wines that complement the Latin American cuisine we’re proud to represent."
More about Alfonsina
Where is it? 50–52 Long Lane, London EC1A 9EJ
When does it open? Early 2025
Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @alfonsinalondonx
Thanks to Hot Dinners reader Daniel for the tip-off
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