Photo: The National Gallery, London
If you’re constantly on the lookout for the most stunning restaurants to dine in, then we’ve found just the new spot for you. (Well, we’ve actually got a whole bunch of them in our guide to London’s prettiest restaurants…) Chef Giorgio Locatelli has teamed up with his wife, Plaxy, to open a new restaurant in the National Gallery. And it just might be a contender for London’s most picturesque restaurant – literally!
The new restaurant, ‘Locatelli’, has opened in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery this May. The restaurant is also joined by ‘Bar Giorgio’, an espresso bar where gallery-goers can stop for a “proper Italian coffee and Giorgio’s sweet and savoury maritozzi menu”.
The new openings mark the next chapter in the Locatelli story, following the closure of the acclaimed Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli in December last year. They also mark the re-opening of the National Gallery’s Sainsbury Wing, which has been undergoing a “two-and-a-half-year transformational Bicentenary project”. The wing reopened, alongside the restaurant on the mezzanine level and Bar Giorgio on the ground floor, on May 10.
Credit: Mistervlad, via Shutterstock Locatelli
Across the menu and decor, Giorgio and Plaxy have drawn inspiration from the picturesque new surroundings and, in particular, the works of Caravaggio. The menu at ‘Locatelli’ focuses on Italian classics and Giorgio’s signature seasonal dishes, which have made him one of the world’s most respected Italian chefs.
Food ranges from antipasti to the likes of Braised veal ravioli with parsley gremolata and Parmigiano Reggiano sauce. Other options include Roast chicken alla cacciatora and Roast ribeye steak, as well as Italian-inspired dolci (or desserts). Which, yes, of course, means there is a stonking Tiramisu up for grabs.
It’s all proven rather popular with the public and food critics alike. In fact, Locatelli was recently included in an update of the Michelin Guide. Now, this doesn’t mean the venue has received a Michelin star (not yet, at least), but it does join the ranks of the many esteemed venues recommended by the restaurant guide.
Image: @locatelli_nationalgallery, via IG
Here’s what the Michelin Guide had to say about the opening:
“You know what you’re getting just from the name: an outstanding location inside the National Gallery’s renovated Sainsbury Wing, partnered with Italian fare overseen by famed chef Giorgio Locatelli. Quite a few notches above your usual museum café, here you can pair your Botticelli with burrata and your Titian with tiramisu – all executed by an able team. Handmade pasta is a particular highlight, such as the cappellacci stuffed with peas.”
Bar Giorgio
But sometimes you don’t need a full meal. Maybe you just need a delicious coffee and a sweet treat to perk you up. In which case, Bar Giorgio is perfectly suited. The casual espresso bar brings a taste of Italian coffee culture to gallery visitors and passers-by.
Guests can chow down on delicious sweet and savoury takes on the classic Roman pastry, maritozzi. Fillings range from ricotta cheese and sliced salami to olive tapenade, avocado and tomato. Or you can opt for the classic “Chantilly cream-filled bun with a choice of chocolate, pistachio or classic custard”.
Image: @locatelli_nationalgallery, via IG
Speaking of the opening, Giorgio said:
“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.
“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.”
Image: @locatelli_nationalgallery, via IG
📍 You’ll find Locatelli and Bar Giorgio in the Sainsbury Wing of the National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 5DN. The nearest station is Charing Cross.
Find out more here.
Dining and Cooking