Paper Moon latest restaurant to join OWO line-up

Paper Moon, a Milanese restaurant, is the latest concept announced as joining the line-up at the OWO in London’s Whitehall, which is being developed within the former Old War Office building.

The OWO is set to have nine restaurants and three bars when it opens next spring, three of which will be overseen by Mirazur chef Mauro Colagreco.

The first Paper Moon restaurant was opened by Pio Galligani and his wife Enrica Del Rosso in Milan in 1977 and now has six restaurants worldwide.

Overlooking Horse Guards Avenue, the restaurant and bar will serve classic Italian dishes, and will be designed with olive trees and greenery, terracotta colours and Travertine marble.

The food menu will be seasonal while the bar serve daily aperitivi, as well as traditional Italian cocktails with a twist and more than 100 European wines.

Co-owner Claudio Bertoni said: “We are thrilled to be part of the collection of exciting new restaurant openings at the OWO, in such an iconic building. Through our focus on home-style dishes and attentive service, Paper Moon has built an incredibly loyal following around the world. Our London debut will be a stylish destination where diners can join us for a culinary journey through Italy.”

Madani Sow of Westminster Development Services added: “These vibrant new restaurants will be part of the dynamic dining offer, which will place the OWO as a new epicentre for London’s culinary scene, and along with the new Raffles London hotel, the 85 residences and a Guerlain Spa, set the stage for an entirely new hospitality experience for visitors and Londoners.”

The Old War Office, completed in 1906 and designed by British architect William Young, was once the site of the original Palace of Whitehall, home to Henry VIII and other monarchs. The property served as the office to political and military leaders of the 20th century, notably Sir Winston Churchill, David Lloyd George and Lord Kitchener, and the haunt of the British Secret Service.

The 120-bedroom hotel will be the first hotel in London for the Raffles brand, which started life in Singapore in 1887. Indian conglomerate Hinduja Group acquired the property for £350m in 2014. Raffles was bought, along with sister brands Fairmont and Swissôtel, as part of Accor's acquisition of parent company FRHI Holdings in 2016. The OWO will also include 85 residences.