Former Locanda Locatelli chef enlisted for new Italian restaurant

Louis Korovilas, a former chef at London’s Michelin-starred Locanda Locatelli, has taken on the head chef role at a new Italian restaurant in Covent Garden.

Korovilas has also previously worked at the Michelin-starred French restaurant Pied à Terre.

The new eatery, called Bancone, will focus on fresh pasta and is due to open on William IV Street in April.

Restaurateurs William Ellner and David Ramsey will be operating the new restaurant. Ellner runs Joanna’s in Crystal Palace which was opened by his family in 1970 and it will be his first opening in central London.

Prices will range from £6 to £12. The menu will include Pappardelle with slow-cooked kid goat and rosemary ragù; and garganelli, salsa Genovese, alongside tagliolini, clams, seaweed and purslane; or lamb neck ravioli with spring vegetables.

It will also offer seasonal arancini (rice balls) which will change on a daily basis.Smaller plates will have the option of including celery, anchovy, green olives, mint and bottarga; or charred, pickled artichokes, young rocket, Parmesan snow.

He said: “I’m thrilled to have Louis on board at Bancone. He’s incredibly passionate about Italian food and produce and comes from a prestigious restaurant background. Italian food — particularly pasta — is enjoying the limelight in London once again and we can’t wait to open on William IV Street and bring you our modern interpretation of the cuisine.”