New Italian restaurant from Rhubarb set for Royal Albert Hall

Foodservice company Rhubarb is to open a new Italian restaurant in London's Royal Albert Hall after a £1m refurbishment.

Typical dishes will include sea bream and olive gnocchi; stone-baked pizza with tiger prawns and asparagus; and rigatoni arrabbiata, while the wine list will be exclusively Italian.

There will also be live music as part of the Royal Albert Hall's More at the Hall series, every Friday evening, Saturday lunchtime and during brunch on Sundays.

The Grade-I listed space has been refurbished in a contemporary style that is aiming to provide a "distinctly Italian feel" while remaining sympathetic to its historic setting.

Jasper Hope, chief operating officer at the Royal Albert Hall, called the opening an exciting addition to the London restaurant scene.

He added: "We have long wanted a restaurant dining experience that matched our ambition and was genuinely open to both ticketholders and those looking for something different."

Pieter-Bas Jacobse, managing director of Rhubarb, said: "Rhubarb is proud to have developed this concept in partnership with the Royal Albert Hall, and we look forward to delivering exceptional service and exquisite food."

The Royal Albert Hall, South Kensington, opened in 1871 and since then has continuously put on music concerts, shows, exhibitions, talks, presentations and awards ceremonies. It has 14 bars and six dining sites - including Verdi â€' of which some are open to the public (such as the all-day Café Bar) and some are only available to performance ticket holders.

Rhubarb, which has a variety of historical clients, including the National Trust, manages all sites on the premises.

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