Sycamore Vino Cucina, an all-day Italian restaurant and bar, will open doors on 17 May in London WC2 within a new lifestyle luxury hotel, Middle Eight.
Located on Great Queen Street, Sycamore offers a contemporary yet authentic slice of Italy to welcome the summer in the heart of Covent Garden.
Head Chef Paul Robinson has created a food offering that draws inspiration from his time in northern- Italy, using authentic and seasonal British produce. Handcrafted menus are inspired by regional Italian produce combined with contemporary flair, and dishes are aimed at sharing with pizzas, small plates, and a delicious selection of cicchetti (Italian ‘tapas’), as well as larger pasta and ‘secondi’ dishes.
Signature dishes include:
• Sgombro bruciato (torched mackerel, horseradish, pomegranate)
• Bistecca di manzo (35-day aged longhorn porterhouse, whipped potatoes, spinach)
• Gamberi al griflia (grilled prawns, warm potato salad, cornichons)
• Crostata al cioccolato (Dark chocolate tart, Italian meringue, hazelnuts)
The 89-cover bar offers seating for guests to enjoy drinks from the restaurant’s signature drinks menu showcasing the best of classic Italian mixology. An extensive Negroni section offers not one but 15 varieties of the cocktail.
Complementing the Negronis are Bellinis and Grappatinis, as well as signature cocktails including the eponymous The Sycamore (gin, elderflower cordial, grapefruit bitters and prosecco). Guests can also browse the curated wine list championing small-scale producers from northern Italy including the regions of Piedmont, Lombardy and Tuscany.
Sycamore’s breakfast menu, served daily for hotel residents and drop-in guests, offers lighter options such as Quinoa and Chia Seed Porridge, through to more substantial egg dishes including Whipped Eggs on Brioche (served with smoked salmon, nduja or avocado).
Signature dishes include The Sycamore Breakfast (two eggs any style, thick-cut old spot pancetta & salsiccia tomatoes, with sourdough) and the Nduja Breakfast Pizza (soft poached egg, nduja, pine nuts). A choice of smoothies and juices, ethically sourced teas and Italian coffees using beans from Musetti complete the menu.
Over and above the food and drink, Sycamore is an urban, local hang-out with the sharing nature of the dishes creating an atmosphere that is informal and laid-back. Welcoming and bustling during the day, by night the buzz continues as live DJs and musical talent create a vibrant and welcoming social hub.
Head Chef Paul Robinson commented, “We’re really looking forward to introducing Londoners and visitors to Sycamore. Over the past year, we’ve been busy sourcing ingredients, speaking to suppliers (both here in the UK and Italy), and perfecting our dishes – and we can’t wait to showcase the incredible menu we have to offer.”
Designed by Tonik Associates, the interiors channel the same aesthetics of the hotel. An open kitchen set in marble overlooks the 112-cover main dining room.
Throughout the hotel this ethos is brought to life, and no more so than in the soon-to-open QT – a subterranean bar, performance venue and screening room.
Built on the foundations of the iconic music venue, Kingsway Hall, this speakeasy style space will offer a variety of live performances, alongside a carefully curated cocktail collection and a globally inspired food menu.