Steak restaurant founder launches veg-centric gluten, dairy and sugar free venue
On North End Road, Ardiciocca takes its name from the Genoese-Italian word for artichoke and is helmed by Italian chef Simona Ranieri.
A coeliac, she has penned a number of books on free-from eating and has been involved in a number of restaurants in her home country.
She recently partnered with logistics company Quiqup to deliver gluten and dairy-free meals in London.
While it serves some meat and fish, the restaurant is vegetable centric and uses fermentation to “transform the flavour of vegetables, fruits and grains”
“We just need to enhance the flavours and make them shine, the treasure is already there,” says Costa, who runs four Macellaio RC restaurants in London that specialise in high quality Fassone beef.
The produce at Ardiciocca is selected from small farms and producers around the world, with the supply chain “carefully traced to ensure that the ingredients are treated with the utmost care and respect throughout their journey to the plate.”
The launch menu includes marinated and flamed mackerel, kimchi cucumber, dill and coconut yogurt; beetroot tartare, mustard and green apple sorbet; pea ravioli with almond, borage and clam broth; and grilled Albenga artichoke with hummus, pine nuts and bottarga.
Desserts include matcha tea ice cream with pure chocolate; and almond tiramisu. The wine list focuses on natural, organic and biodynamic wines.
Costa is also planning to open a string of more affordable Italian restaurants in suburban London. Roberto Costa says his Osteria Number 8 restaurant will serve simple, less well-known Italian dishes, the majority of which will be based on home-style recipes from towns and villages rather than the big cities. Average spend is expected to be under £20.
