Located on Kingly Street in Soho, the new restaurant will incorporate a rustic look and feel with an interior described as ‘light and sunny’. A focal point of the eatery will be the exposed kitchens, from which the restaurant derives its name – ‘forno’ meaning oven.
Unlike Babbo the concept behind Fortana is for relaxed all-day dining. The owners said in a statement: “Fornata will provide an ideal destination for affordable and informal all day dining, after work drinks and late night cocktails in the heart of Soho.”
Executive chef Douglas Santi, who will oversee both Babbo and Fornata is creating a menu with an emphasis on oven cooked dishes from southern Italy that ‘lend themselves to sharing’, the owners said.
The menu will include breakfast, which will offer a range of freshly baked Italian breads and pastries served with Italian coffee, while lunch and dinner options include grilled meat and fish dishes alongside traditional southern Italian cuisine including Sardella (pilchard), Polla alla Diavola, and Mamma Rosa’s Roast Beef With Tomatoes and Onions.
Fornata will also feature a long cocktail and dining bar, where lone diners can choose from the full food and drink menus. The bar, which will be open until 1am and will offer a view of the exposed kitchens, will also offer Italian Aperitivo and Antipasti, to capture the ‘post work drinks’ market.