Fatto a Mano Bethnal Green to open in November
Fatto a Mano will launch a new pizzeria on Bethnal Green's Paradise Row, bringing its signature Neapolitan pizza to East London for the first time.
The Bethnal Green venue will join sister sites in Covent Garden and King's Cross, alongside three neighbourhood sites in Brighton and Hove.
Guests at the new restaurant will be able to enjoy the 'Carolina's Meatballs' – a limited-edition pizza special that sees the brand's signature pizza dough topped with meatballs and a spicy vodka tomato sauce. The pizza is named in honour of Carolina Braccio – mother of Fatto a Mano's head of food, Antonio Braccio – whose recipe for Neapolitan 'polpetto' has been used to create the meatballs. For every special sold, £1 will be donated to Bow Foodbank, a local charity supporting those in need across Tower Hamlets.
The menu will also feature classics like Margherita Buffalo, Salsiccia e Friarielli and Napoletana. The brand's contemporary twists, such as Lasagne Pizza topped with beef ragu, béchamel, smoked provola, mozzarella, parmesan and basil, will also be available, along with the new black truffle, spinach and artichoke vegan pizza.
A range of snacks will be offered, including 'nduja lasagne fritta bites, porcini mushroom arancini and Fatto's Caesar salad with Cetara anchovies. The drinks list will encompass a selection of natural wines, exclusive to the East London venue, and a range of craft beers.
Building on the vision of founder Rupert Davidson, the site is tucked away under Bethnal Green's converted railway arches. The 65-cover space will be split over two levels, with the mezzanine looking out over the dining room, a bustling central open kitchen and a terrace that seats an additional 40 covers.
General manager Michele Colella will join from the Covent Garden restaurant, bringing five years of experience with the brand.
Davidson says of the upcoming opening: "We're very excited to launch our first neighbourhood restaurant in London. We've loved our adventures in London so far, and Bethnal Green is like going back to the early days of our first Brighton openings, with neighbours and community being at the forefront of everything that we do."