Gabriel and Marcello Bernardi will open their eponymous modern Italian restaurant, Bernardi’s, on 8th September in Marylebone, London.
The 120-cover all-day restaurant and bar will sit on the corner of Seymour Street and Seymour Place, occupying two floors of a restored Victorian property. Though Gabriel and Marcello have an obvious passion for food, design has also been an integral part of the opening for the brothers. Their vision is to create a sense of understated sophistication that will make guests feel completely at home amongst their surroundings.
On entering, guests will be greeted by an open plan room that seats 80. The room will be decorated in muted greys, blacks and accented colours, with a design scheme that makes extensive use of natural woods, stone and textiles, referencing vintage Italian style.
Booths and banquette seating break up the space, making the grand room intimate and friendly. Large windows run the length of the room flooding the restaurant with natural light. In the warmer months, the windows open out onto the street to give the room an al-fresco feel. At street level, the raised outdoor seating, grey awnings and clustered olive trees will frame the restaurant, giving it a sense of Mediterranean simplicity.
At the back of the restaurant, a large communal table will overlook the open kitchen and bar. Customers will be able to work and relax here throughout the day with Italian coffee, watching their pizzettes and breads being made to order.
Downstairs, the relaxed theme continues with grouped sofas and a subtle colour scheme. The bar, finished with light dappled-grey marble, will serve up classic Italian cocktails, and provide the perfect spot for pre-dinner refreshments. Large tables will make this an ideal space for private events for up to 40, with French doors leading into an outdoor courtyard.
Head chef Sabrina Gidda – a two-time Roux Scholarship finalist – joins the team from Restaurant Associates, and will create a simple and seasonal, modern Italian menu. The food will also be accompanied by a fully Italian wine list and vintage inspired Italian cocktails. Bernardi’s aim is to bring together the best of heritage brands and combine them with artisanal British produce to create modern favourites.
Italian-Australian brothers Gabriel and Marcello hope to bring together Italian cooking and hospitality, with a fresh Antipodean approach to style and service. Both brothers bring with them extensive experience in London’s hospitality industry from their key roles as part of the Cubitt House Group. Joining them as director of operations is Zoe Charlton-Brown, formerly general manager at Café Murano St James and The Bull & Last.
The brothers comment: “Growing up in Australia, food was always really important to us – even more so because of our Italian heritage. We both enjoy light, fresh, uncomplicated food and wanted to create somewhere that we could eat in day-in-day-out, a restaurant that capitalises on flavour but isn’t too heavy, fussy or ‘once in a while’. It’s our hope that both the local Marylebone residents and others who share our passion for good Italian food, will enjoy it as much as us!”
