US restaurateur, Ilias Nathanail, who owned and operated seven restaurants in Washington DC, is to open his first business in the UK, a New York-style pizza concept and cocktail lounge called Brooklyn Bite in January next year.
Angad Paul, co-founder of London nightclubs, Chinawhite and Aura, and serial entrepreneur Aditya Khanna, founder of Michelin-starred Tamarind are backing the new concept, which will open its first site on the King’s Road in Chelsea.
The new venture has secured the site of former cafe and delicatessen, Napket, which went into administration earlier this year. The group hopes to open several further sites in London and is already on the lookout for more locations.
Brooklyn Bite will be an all-day dining concept, spanning over ground floor and basement. New York-style 18-inch pizzas, serving up to four people for less than £5 per person, will form the basis of the menu as well as pies available by the slice.
The ground floor will feature a neighbourhood pizzeria in a family-led environment, whilst the basement will take on a New York speakeasy lounge to cater for evening trade.
The restaurant will also offer takeaway and delivery.
Nathanail said, “Although the market has a plethora of pizza available, I felt that in London there was a real gap in the market for a bona-fide New York pizzeria at this price point. Lots of places profess to offer affordable prices, many are focused on the Italian pizza experience, but I haven’t been able to find anywhere, which can offer both the quality and the authenticity representing what real New York pizza stands for.
“ I think the fact that this concept has secured interest from such high-profile entrepreneurs in the sector shows that we are able to offer something genuinely different.”
Josh Leon, associate director at Davis Coffer Lyons, which advised Brooklyn Bite on the deal, said: “We spent much time looking for the right site to launch this concept and I couldn’t be more please that Brooklyn Bite is opening at this location. It presents the ability to showcase the brand to a wide audience in one of London’s premier spots to capture all-day trade.”
