Franco’s, a legendary Italian restaurant that’s been plying Londoners with cooked breakfasts, lasagne and tiramisu since 1945, has unveiled its biggest redesign in over 80 years.
For the first time, the resto on Jermyn Street has opened an all-day bar on its premises. Designed by Conrad Alexander Design, the new bar in the front of the restaurant is designed to be a standalone venue that will serve coffee in the morning, aperitivo from 6pm and cocktails late into the night.
The menu by head chef Stefano Turconi will span breakfast, lunch and dinner, featuring dishes like lobster roll dressed with pickled fennel and basil mayonnaise, sea urchin on toast, potato gnocchi with porcini mushrooms, and roasted venison loin with celeriac purée.
Photograph: Franco’sThe new bar at Franco’s
For the drinks, Franco’s bar will serve its own takes on Italian aperitivo. Highlights include the ‘Apple Sour Spritz’, made with apple whiskey, lemon and prosecco; ‘Zest’ combines limoncello, citrus vodka, lemon and mint; ‘Tarts and Flowers’ pairs vodka and amaretto with maraschino cherry and roasted almond. (The classics including negroni and Aperol spritz are also available for the trad heads). The wine list curated by head sommelier Paolo Pellegrino will feature rare Italian vintages, champagnes and three cuvées created just for Franco’s in partnership with the Italian winery from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, Le Pianure.
Jason Phillips, director at Wiltons Holdings – which owns Franco’s – said: ‘Franco’s has always evolved thoughtfully while remaining true to its heritage. The new bar represents the next chapter in that journey, creating a destination guests can enjoy throughout the day while preserving everything that has made Franco’s one of London’s most loved Italian restaurants for generations.’
Franco’s Bar, 61 Jermyn Street, SW1Y 6LX. Open 7.45am-10pm.
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