Chef Andy Needham launches L'Amorosa in West London
Chef Andy Needham has launched his new restaurant, L'Amorosa, at 278 King Street, Ravenscourt Park in London.
The chef, who spent 15 years at Knightsbridge restaurant Zafferano before leaving earlier this year, opened the new 58-seat site in what used to be local all-day café Lola & Simón.
Needham has revealed plans to keep the same friendly core values as the site's predecessor, and the restaurant will offer informal, modern Italian food, using a combination of British and Italian ingredients.
Typical dishes on the new menu include: capocolo with fresh figs, rocket and aged balsamic; tortelli of burrata with sweet prawns, chilli and oregano; slow-roasted salt marsh lamb shoulder with hazelnut crust, polenta and porcini; and poached pear in red wine with mascarpone sorbet.
The lunch and evening menus will change weekly, with daily specials as well. Prices for starters range from £6-£8, main courses £9-£18, and desserts £6-£7. (The shorter lunch menu is slightly lower priced.)
The short wine list is all-Italian with bottles from £13.50, and a range by the glass from £3. Italian coffee and a large selection of teas are served throughout the day to accompany a variety of cakes, pastries and croissants, all made on the premises.
"I am so happy to be my own boss - every chef wants his independence, but you have to work and learn your way to a certain point in your career when it just seems the right move," explained Needham. "A neighbourhood restaurant, where I can really get to know my customers and neighbours, is the ideal environment, and everyone seems to like easy Italian food!"