UPDATE: This restaurant has closed and reopened as Roka.
Mayfair is set to bid benvenuto to Banca, the latest fine dining venue from Arjun and Peter Waney (co-founders of Zuma and Roka) and entrepreneur Giuliano Lotto (Aurelia and Il Baretto).
Banca’s menu celebrates Northern Italian dishes using fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, expertly cooked by Executive Chef Marzio Zacchi and Head Chef Gabriele Milani. Zacchi is well-known for his menus based on seasonal produce and diners can expect dishes such as baked Sea Scallops with spicy Calabria N’duja, char grilled Asparagus with slow cooked Egg and Black Truffle, Saffron Risotto “al salto” gratinee with Asiago cheese and Potato Gnocchi with Taleggio cheese, Girolles and Summer Truffle.
The restaurant features separate hot and cold bars with a traditional bread oven. The long bar opposite serves fine wines and classic cocktails such as Negroni, Aperol spritzer (our personal favourite) Americano and a range of special Italian spirits. The bar area also offers diners the opportunity to eat ‘Milan style’ – standing at the bar, to enjoy dishes such as Terrine of Rabbit, foie-gras and ham and brandade of Cod with pate of Taggiasca Olives and toast.
Located in a former NatWest bank, the opulent interior features a palette of dark tones in a range of elegant textures, accented with hints of gold and bronze, set against a striking black and white marble floor, all illuminated by statement pendant lighting that casts a flattering glow. Designers TP Bennett have capitalised on the building’s heritage by retaining functioning safety deposit boxes situated next to the bar area and the original vault door in the all important private dining room, which sits adjacent to the large open plan kitchen so that diners can enjoy the theatre without feeling the heat.
With outdoor seating on the wide streets, the tables outside at Banca can take advantage of the summer sun and long, warm evenings. And Banca’s enviable Mayfair location is set to become the chicest destination for the glamorous London set with light lunches, the best aperitivo this side of Milan and long relaxing dinners.
Website: www.bancarestaurant.com
Address: 30 North Audley Street, London, W1K 6HF
Opening Times: Mon-Sat 12pm-1am / closed Sundays
Reservations: 0207 647 2525 info@bancarestaurant.com
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