Noci to launch in Islington
Called Noci, which translates to walnut in Italian, the restaurant will draw inspiration from Korovilas's travels across Italy.
Korovilas, who partnered with Various Eateries to launch Tavolino in London Bridge last year, will lead Noci as head chef and serve a 'short, seasonal menu' of pastas and Italian street food snacks.
The menu will start with range of fritti including fried parcels of leek, taleggio, gorgonzola and walnut; fried squid and mussels with nori and bagna cauda; and sage and anchovy beignets.
Other snacks include focaccia with datterini tomato and olives; house-cured bresaola with celeriac and toasted fennel mayo; and burrata with caramelised pear, walnut and marjoram.
Pasta plates will change with the seasons and at launch will include a 'classic' Neapolitan Genovese ragu of veal, pork and onions tossed with tubes of paccheri; gnocchetti with confit tomato and smoked ricotta; bucatini with brown butter cacio e pepe.
The drinks menu will offer a changing line up of ‘seasonal spritz’ flavours such as pear and marjoram; spiced kumquat and sage; and grapefruit, pink peppercorn and thyme.
Overlooking Islington Green, the restaurant's interior will focus on reclaimed and natural materials and centre around a large communal table with high stools, while banquette and window seats will flank the sides of the space.
Daily specials will be handwritten on a central wall of white tiles whilst the bar will form the focal point of the restaurant with a terrazzo topped dresser showcasing the fresh pasta from the kitchen.
Prior to his stint at Bancone, Korovilas – who spent a year being mentored directly by Giorgio Locatelli – served as senior sous chef at Pied Á Terre, working under Marcus Eaves and Andy McFadden.
Ahead of Noci's opening in February, Korovilas will be popping up between 24 and 27 November at Mortimer House in Fitzrovia, previewing some of the new Noci dishes.
Various Eateries, which also owns the 12-strong Coppa Club brand, reported 'very encouraging trading' since reopening in an update earlier this week.
The group, which began trading on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange last year, has previously announced plans its intention to expand the Tavolino brand 'at pace'.
