Casa Malevo pair to open Zoilo Restaurant & Bar in London next month
Opening on 5 November in Duke Street (within the Portman Estate), Zoilo will showcase a menu of small tasting dishes featuring traditional cooking from the different regions of Argentina. The restaurant is spread over two levels, with space for 45 covers and an additional private room seating eight.
The ground floor of Zoilo is inspired by the classic café style of Buenos Aires, with a seating long bar and tiled floor, while the lower ground will feature an open kitchen and additional seating.
Argentine chef-patron Jacquet devised Zoilo’s menu with head chef Tara Sobott. It will authentic ‘Cocina Argentina’ (sharing dishes) ranging from steaks to sweetbreads to sausages and fish.
Jacquet rose through the ranks from his apprenticeship in Buenos Aires to positions in some of the world’s best restaurants including Ferran Adria’s El Bulli and Marcus Samuelsson’s Aquavit, before arriving in London in 2003 to head the teams at the Trafalgar Hotel and subsequently the Zetter Hotel.
On the menu
Sample dishes at Zoilo include ‘Morcilla & criolla’ (blood pudding) on toast and ox tongue, white beans & mustard; and ‘Provoleta’ - cheese, almonds and honey, and Beetroot, goat’s cheese and caramelised almonds. The wine list consists solely of selected Argentine wines, with most available by the glass or carafe.
Bill Moore, chief executive of the Portman Estate, said “We are delighted to welcome Diego and Alberto to our increasingly vibrant estate. Zoilo is a superb addition to this part of Marylebone and fits very well with our policy of attracting high-quality independent restaurateurs.
“We expect Zoilo will be well received by our residents and commercial occupiers alike. We look forward to working with them and wish Zoilo every success.”
Jacquet and Abbate previously ran Zoilo as a seperate catering company, which made a name for itself at a number of bug sporting events throughout the country. Casa Malevo and the Zoilo catering operation will continue to trade as normal.
