Former Toto’s site in Lennox Gardens Mews, Knightsbridge to become a “contemporary Japanese” restaurant named Dinings
In April 2014, just off Walton Street in Knightsbridge’s Lennox Gardens Mews, Toto’s prepared to reopen after a £3 million makeover at the behest of a new Indian owner. In spite of serving the most delicious Italian food, its slightly off-piste location proved difficult and it again closed in early 2016. Now, after remaining empty for some time, this former artist’s studio is set to become a “contemporary Japanese restaurant”.
First mentioned by the lifestyle app Urbanologie earlier this week, Dinings, the Japanese tapas and sushi restaurant that has taken the site, already has an outpost in Marylebone and describes its offering as “a new style of Izakaya; Japanese tapas which combines traditional Japanese with modern European cuisine”.
The restaurant is due to open on 16th May and will feature two dining bars and a ten cover sushi counter. Its interior has been designed by David d’Almada of Sagrada – a man whose previous commissions include The Arts Club on Dover Street and Sartoria on Savile Row – and, in spite of many recent closures in the area due to soaring rates and rents, we wish the new operators all the best in their venture.
Image depicts the restaurant and garden as it was in 2014.
Scene of a Dawn Ward shoving match Salmontini closes to makes way for a new restaurant by chef Nuno Goncalves; next door, hotel The Hari replaces its Pont Street restaurant too
Opened in September 2014, Salmontini was a restaurant in Belgravia’s Pont Street that was never going to be a hit. Aside from its weird name, it was the scene of a fish fuelled fight between the former pop singer Sinitta and the champagne loving, Prosecco hatingReal Housewives of Cheshire “star” Dawn Ward in September 2015. Mrs Ward, a balayage haired woman with an attitude to social media usage similar to Donald Trump, was subsequently convicted of assault in June 2016.
On Thursday on Facebook, former 12 Hay Hill chef Nuno Goncalves announced that he is to take over Salmontini’s premises as chef-patron. He stated:
“1 Pont St. House will be my new venture, where you can expect a relaxed atmosphere, classy fine dining where the emphasis is on the best quality farm and urban farm to table produce, the season’s best foraged ingredients cooked with an array of old meets new cooking techniques”.
The double-fronted building, which was previously occupied by amongst others The Palm and Drones, stands next to The Hari (formerly the Belgraves London hotel). Its strangely decorated restaurant, Pont Street by Sophie Michell, closed recently too and will be replaced in February by an Italian bar and restaurant named Il Pampero.
Salmontini has now closed downPont Street at the former Belgraves London hotel is currently undergoing renovation
A 20-question interview with Nicola Radano, an Italian fashion blogger and founder of tie producers Spacca Neapolis
The Steeple Times shares “wit and wisdom”. What’s your guiding force?
Determination and loyalty.
“Don’t get even, get medieval” is, in our humble opinion, a great motto. What’s yours?
“One can get rich at any moment, but if one has no class, one is always a beggar” – paraphrased from philosopher and connoisseur of Neapolitan culture Luciano De Crescenzo.
Kerry Katona was considered unacceptable in 2007. Who or what is unacceptable in 2016?
A lot of people.
Tony Blair misses being Prime Minister. What do you miss most in your life?
I miss being able to sail.
What might you swap all your wealth for?
Living in a world populated by principled people.
Donald Trump was once a case of: “If you owe the bank a thousand, they close you down; but if you owe the bank a billion, you own the bank”. What’s your view on the banking crisis?
The banking crisis was born to the low value given to the Euro. I have no words to say on that.
What phrase or word do you most loathe?
“I can’t do it”.
In the UK, some people consider charity to “begin at home”. What’s your view and what causes do you personally support?
For me, it’s absolutely right to support both domestic and international charities. Helping someone who has little is the most gallant gesture that anyone can do.
The judge in Law Abiding Citizen states: “I can pretty much do whatever I want” before being blown up whilst answering her mobile phone. What’s your view on the appropriate use of such devices?
Smartphones are now improperly used by young children. This is harmful because many of them prefer using them to reading a good book.
Nicola Radano
If you could fill a carriage on The Orient Express, who would be your fellow passengers?
Only elegant men.
If you were unfortunate enough to end up on death row, what would be your last meal and where would you eat it?
A plate of spaghetti with tomato sauce by the sea.
What time is it acceptable to consume the first drink of the day?
In the afternoon.
A Negroni, a martini or a cup of tea?
A cup of Neapolitan coffee please.
Whose parties do you enjoy the most and why?
I like afternoon appetizers in the summer time. I find them most relaxing.
Who is the most positive person you know?
My mum.
What’s your most guilty pleasure?
Sleeping in late without being interrupted.
If a tattoo were to sum you up, what would it be of?
A rudder.
If you were a car, what marque would you be?
A Porsche.
Cilla Black presented Surprise, Surprise. Tell us the most surprising thing about you.
That I’ve been able to create unexpected things from nothing.
What’s currently sitting on your mantelpiece?
Family photos, antique ashtrays and a clock.
Nicola Radano declares his passion to be classical fashion and Neapolitan tailoring. He established a blog about the subject titled ‘Me, Myself & I’ in 2013 and launched his own firm of hand sewn tie producers, Spacca Neapolis, in 2016.
Follow him on Instagram at @nicolaradano and on Facebook by clicking here.
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