Premier Hospitality

Gotto

Gotto
Written by Roma Publications

Gotto: Different by design

Gotto

Real Italian style food and artisan Vermouth take centre stage in the design of Gotto – Stratford’s most fashionable new trattoria, where a welcoming environment with an air of casual chic is highlighted by imaginatively original features.

Opening imminently, and created for Peter Hughes and Andrew Mantovani, the team behind Soho’s Mele e Pere, Gotto is located within the Here East development, in Olympic Park.

Interior designers for the scheme are Blenheim Design, with Ledbury as fit out contractors.

Gotto is an expression in the Veronese dialect which means “going out for a bite to eat and a glass of wine with friends” – which neatly sums up the relaxed ambience of the new eatery.

“We were keen to create a welcoming, casual yet fashionable environment with a positive nod to neighbouring Hackney’s innovative and artistic culture,” said Maja Myall of Blenheim Design.

She added: “The overall interior feel is industrial, inviting and comfortable whilst incorporating imaginative use of found, recycled materials and solid durable furniture.

“The design reflects the menu of real honest Italian food with authentic traditional dishes using only fresh produce which is in season – and not a single standard pizza or pasta dish in sight!”

Gotto will offer a seasonal menu, and while it will regularly change, the type of dishes one can expect include: Octopus polpette; Burrata from Locorotondo; Paglia e fieno pasta with pheasant ragu; Agnolotti with asparagus and cimbro cheese; Surrey farm T-bone steak alla fiorentina and Goats milk ice cream with fresh cherries.

The design palette incorporates natural materials including timber and leather, with reclaimed Italian style tiles and a distinctive graffiti mural adding a colourful accent.

The interior is designed around a theatre kitchen where diners can see their food being prepared. In addition to an impressively original menu, Giotto’s other speciality is their large selection of artisan Vermouth, displayed on vintage style illuminated shelves. Craft beers, Italian small-producer wines and cocktails will also be on tap.

The theatre kitchen is located behind a zinc topped counter featuring a distinctive frontage of randomly arranged mainly pastel coloured reclaimed tiles, reminiscent of traditional old Italian style kitchens. High level seating is arranged along the bar, above which an overhead steel gantry features a display of delicious home-made Italian preserves including pickles and olives. A further display of hanging charcuterie meats is featured at the far end of the bar.

Gotto

Unpretentious, yet imaginatively original, the 70-cover space incorporates a number of other distinctive design features including recycled ’found’ objects such as a long dresser, ship’s lamps and bar fridges concealed within the carcases of antique chests of drawers.

Additional design highlights include a large graffiti mural by a local artist, aged oak flooring and ‘layers’ of lighting carefully considered to create a gentle transition from bright lunch time to a mellower evening mood. This was achieved with a combination of dimmable lighting and pendants, further enhanced by wall lights.

Wall finishes include retro-style green tiles behind the theatre kitchen counter and reclaimed timber parquet-pattern wall cladding in a variety of shades, with every piece being slightly different.

Seating is a combination of different styles including real leather banquettes, high level seating at the theatre kitchen counter, dining chairs in an eclectic mix of styles and oak-topped tables.

The venue also features an attractive alfresco canal-side dining area.

“The project has gone smoothly and the clients were heavily involved at every stage,” said Maja Myall.

Specialising in hospitality and retail projects, Blenheim Design focus on understanding the client’s business and the commercial objectives behind each project, resulting in a fresh and memorable design that attracts business and encourages repeat custom, all delivered effortlessly and to budget.

 

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Roma Publications