Places

Locanda Locatelli can be found at n° 8, Seymour Street, London, set within a beautifully curated venue where the interior design by David Collins perfectly complements Michelin-starred chef Giorgio Locatelli’s cuisine. There are stripped-wooden floors and walls, dividing glass panes, concave mirrors and artwork created by Paul Simonon from the Clash and Damien Hirst: this true gem of a restaurant is unique in its kind. Giorgio and Plaxy Locatelli launched the Locanda in 2002; it didn’t take them long to earn a reputation as one of London’s top culinary locations. This restaurant has quickly become synonymous with fine dining of the highest order, earning its first Michelin star mere months after first opening. The success of Locanda Locatelli, of course, also relies on its extra glamorous clientele. Celebrities love spending time here: Madonna, Robbie Williams, Johnny Depp and the Beckham family are all regular customers. This stylish establishment knows no peers, with its perfect blend of fine dining with art and high-end design. Locanda Locatelli is managed by Giorgio Locatelli, hailed by many as one of the best Italian chefs in the United Kingdom. His attitude to cooking takes from the Italian tradition, but with many an innovative twist on convention. Priority is given to the quality of fresh produce, brought to life by the chef’s creative touch: that’s how Locatelli has built a small but perfect corner of Italy here, in the heart of London. These qualities, as well as its friendly and welcoming atmosphere, make the Locanda a truly special space to inhabit, for both customers and staff. Giorgio Locatelli represents a real icon of fine dining, to whom some of the conventions enforced in many of the fancy eateries of the city simply do not apply. “Places that don’t allow children, or that enforce a strict suit and tie dresscode feel more like churches than restaurants. How can you enjoy spending time together that way?” he said in an interview. Since then, the ‘bohemian’ revolution has changed the face of fine dining in Britain, too. Locatelli grew up in a small town called Corgeno, near Lake Maggiore, where his family still manage a Michelin-starred restaurant. Over the years, he has worked for many of the major restaurants in Europe, including Olivo in Eccleston Steet – as head chef – before opening his own place, Zafferano, in 1995. He has appeared on TV many times, both on the BBC and UK Food, and is the author of a number of books. His 2006 book Made in Italy won the Best Food Book Award at the 2007 Glenfiddich Food and Drink Award.