Next month will see the opening of the first UK restaurant from the Antinori winemaking family, Cantinetta Antinori. The new restaurant will bring Tuscan hospitality and wines to Harriet Street, located just off London’s famous Sloane Street.
The name behind some of Italy’s most prestigious wines, including Tignanello and Cervaro della Sala, Antinori began producing wine in 1385.
The company is led by 26th generation sisters Albiera, Allegra, and Alessia Antinori, and attributes its success to a constant stream of innovation underpinned by a deep respect for tradition.
The first Cantinetta Antinori was opened by Niccolò Antinori in 1957 in the fifteenth-century Palazzo Antinori, the family’s historical home in the centre of Florence. The new Cantinetta Antinori will be the first London opening for the distinguished family who, alongside their renowned wineries, have developed a reputation for their highly celebrated restaurants.
The new London opening marks an exciting collaboration between two families: the Antinori family, committed to the art of winemaking for over six centuries across 26 generations, and the Giraudis, renowned restaurateurs led by Riccardo Giraudi, with over 32 restaurants between Paris, Monaco, Mexico, Hong Kong and beyond.
The Giraudi family finds inspiration by travelling the world and their passion for hospitality has allowed them to create and rethink restaurant concepts, offering new ways to boost the gastronomic landscape combined with an eye for stunning design.
Occupying 3,700 sq ft over three storeys of a characterful period building, Cantinetta Antinori is located on Harriet Street, in the luxury fashion district of Knightsbridge.
The restaurant will offer relaxed all-day Tuscan dining with signature dishes highlighting both traditional and contemporary Tuscan recipes, plus fine wines and live jazz each evening.
Served in a vibrant, elegant environment, guests can expect Riccardo Giraudi’s customary flair in dishes ranging from prosciutto di Wagyu to more traditional sharing plates characterised by authenticity, freshness and a true Mediterranean style, following the rhythm of the seasons.
Hand-made pasta plus cacio e pepe and tiramisù served tableside will be joined by dishes such as pappa al pomodoro, crispy octopus with potato cream, farro salad with fried squid, and fettunta with kale, accompanied by extra virgin olive oil from the Antinoris’ Pèppoli estate in the heart of Chianti Classico.
Naturally, the wine list will be as carefully curated as the menu, with exclusive vintages from the Antinori family estates. A knowledgeable sommelier team will be on hand to offer guests a bespoke service and wine pairings from the extensive cellar.
The interiors of the restaurant have been designed by the architectural firm Archflorence, which worked closely with the family on developing a contemporary aesthetic for the London site, inspired by the historical Cantinetta Antinori restaurant in Florence. Many details of the restaurant have been crafted by Tuscan artisans: the long, wooden bar counter with brass vine leaves, the wood boiserie on the walls, and the bespoke lighting.
The bar area will be open throughout the day, offering an intimate setting to enjoy Italian charcuterie with a glass of wine or an espresso, in true Tuscan style. On the first floor, guests will be greeted by dark, warming tones decorated with artefacts and curiosities from the Antinori family collection, creating a perfect ambience for a more formal dining experience. The restaurant will also include a private dining space for parties of 8 to 10, plus a beautiful outdoor terrace for dining and aperitifs.
Allegra Antinori commented: “Cantinetta Antinori has been part of Florentine city life since 1957, motivated by the desire of having people experience a taste of typical Tuscan hospitality, with perfect pairings between our wines and the traditional cuisine. Still inspired by the same passion, we are excited to begin our new story in London and welcome the community with our heartfelt Tuscan hospitality.”
Cantinetta Antinori opens on April 24th.