Petersham Nurseries will open two new Covent Garden restaurants in April
The new openings will sit alongside the company’s existing delicatessen, wine cellar and florist in Covent Garden.
Culinary direction for the two new restaurants comes from Damian Clisby, who takes his experience from roles at J Sheekey with Tim Hughes; Thyme under Adam Byatt; and four years at Petersham Nurseries’ Richmond Cafe.
Clisby was taken on by managing director Lara Boglione for the second stage of Petersham’s expansion, which began in summer 2017.
Accessible via both Floral Street and King Street, The Petersham restaurant will offer Italian-inspired a la carte menus for lunch and dinner, as well as pre and post theatre menus.
Dishes will include handmade pasta and gnocchi; fish and salads with desserts such as the delicatessen’s original bean chocolate with olive oil; and a selection of British and Italian cheeses.
Interiors of the restaurant take inspiration from the Boglione family home, featuring Murano glassware and contemporary art.
The second restaurant in the space, La Goccia, will offer a changing all-day menu of aperitivo and ciccheti such as pizzette; fritti; and garden-inspired dishes including panzanella. Fresh pasta will be served alongside the likes of grilled Tuscan sausages and vegetables.
Ingredients from the menu will be available for customers to buy in the delicatessen.
La Goccia will feature more relaxed interiors, including an open kitchen with a wood-fired oven; a large grill; and a dining bar.
La Goccia Bar will serve signature cocktails using botanicals, herbs and edible flowers. Overlooking the central Floral Court courtyard, the space will be used for al fresco dining in spring and summer.
Petersham Nurseries launched its ‘The Potting Bench’ shop, delicatessen, florist and wine cellar last June.
Launched by the Boglione family in Richmond in 2004, Petersham Nurseries won a Michelin star under chef Skye Gyngell in 2011, which it retained until 2013 following her departure.
It aims to provide a ‘lifestyle destination’ at the Floral Court development, and says in a statement that the company hopes to celebrate ‘nature, seasonal ingredients and slow living’ in Covent Garden.
