The owners of Babbo, the award-winning Italian restaurant based in London’s Mayfair, are to launch a new diffusion brand called Fornata, after securing a site in Kingly Street, in the West End.
The new restaurant is expected to open later this year and will join Wright Bros and Dehesa in the immediate vicinity.
The site comprises some 1,970sq ft in total spread over ground floor and basement.
Babbo, which is overseen by head chef Douglas Santi, opened at the end of 2009 and was recently awarded Tatler Italian ‘Restaurant of the Year and Zagat’s Best Italian Restaurant of 2010.
Tracey Mills, director of development leasing and London estates at Davis Coffer Lyons, which acted on behalf of Shaftesbury plc, to let the unit to Fornata, said, “A deal was effected in which a new lease was re-geared with the landlord carrying out enabling works to improve the unit.
The opening of Fornata will enhance the changing face of Kingly Street in addition to the public realm and road calming works which have recently been undertaken.”
Paul Gilligan acted on behalf of Fornata.
