Francesco Mazzei's new restaurant to be called Radici

The restaurant will offer dishes inspired by Mazzei’s Calabrian heritage, and will also serve dishes from the other southern Italian regions, including Puglia, Sicily and Campania.

Expected to open in May, Radici will be the second restaurant Mazzei has opened for D&D London with the respected chef continuing to run the group’s swish Sartoria restaurant in Mayfair as chef patron.

Formerly D&D’s Almeida, the restaurant is to be redesigned by David d’Almada of Sagrada studios. The look of the space is described as laid-back and modern, and will reference the rugged landscape of Calabria.

The launch menu includes umido di baccala (salt cod with potatoes, tomato sauce, onions, capers and black olives); ferrazzuoli (eggless pasta with southern Italian lamb, pork and beef ragu); and involtino di fegato (calf liver stuffed with pancetta, garlic and sage, served with smoked potato mash). Radici will also serve Neapolitan-style pizza.

The kitchen will be run day-to-day by Antonio Mazzone, Francesco’s longstanding right-hand man.

“With Radici, I am so excited to bring the food of my childhood to my London home,” says Mazzei. “I have lived in Islington for over 20 years, and I hope that this relaxed neighbourhood restaurant will soon become a part of the local community and a go-to venue for authentic southern Italian food in London”.