Less than five months after opening much-lauded Covent Garden restaurant Town, chef-owner Stevie Parle is back at it with Motorino, a 150-seater modern “London-Italian” just off Mortimer Street in Fitzrovia.
This time, he’s teaming up with chef Luke Ahearne, former head chef at Lita which gained a Michelin star in under a year. “Opening Motorino with Stevie is a chance to create something new, bold and exciting in central London. For us it’s all about celebrating great produce, cooking with joy, and bringing my perspective on Italian food to Fitzrovia,” said Ahearne.
“We’ve been looking for another site that could have the scale and impact of Town,” Parle tells Broadsheet. “People sometimes imagine we go through endless analyses, hire consultants, crunch the competition and trends … but the truth is we don’t. We just do what feels right and excites us, and when the place matches that energy, it works.” Parle is especially excited to work with Ahearne, who he describes as “one of London’s best chefs”.
Together, the two will continue the dedication to finding the best seasonal produce, using Parle’s own cows and garden, plus his trusted suppliers, farms and friends that’s made Town a hit. “Luke is a fantastic young chef, passionate about produce, obsessed by quality and consistency, and together we want to create something really special,” said Parle in a statement.
Similarly to Town, Kevin Armstrong (Satan’s Whiskers) will be overseeing the drinks at Motorino, which will include seasonal cocktails on tap as well as quick-serve “direct” Martinis.
“I’ve always liked Fitzrovia – it’s professional and hard-working but also creative and fun” Parle tells Broadsheet. “It’s home to some of London’s best pubs, but apart from a few classics, there aren’t many really good places to eat. That felt like a gap worth filling.”
Motorino opens in October.
1 Pearson Square, London, W1T 3BF
Open: Mon to Sat midday–midnight
