Francesco Mazzei has now opened his authentic Italian trattoria, Radici, in Islington – the area of London he has made his home.
Radici translates as ‘roots’, and reflects the Calabrian and southern Italian cuisine of Francesco’s heritage, all served in a relaxed environment alongside a carefully selected list of southern Italian wines, and a concise list of cocktails from resident mixologist Simone Caporale.
The laid-back, modern interiors of Radici have been created by David d’Almada of Sagrada studios, with the rustic design perfectly evocative of the sunbaked, rugged landscapes of Francesco’s native Calabria.
Clean organic shapes, natural colours, and the iconic Italian tuff stone fill the space, while hints of blue in the furniture and crockery run throughout. This understated design works to enhance the relaxed atmosphere and versatility of the space at Radici, with the main restaurant and bar leading down to a Wine Room and private dining room, and out to an al fresco terrace on Almeida Street.
Inspired by the rustic style of southern Italy, a bar with counter seating takes pride of the place along one side of the restaurant, serving a bespoke list of cocktails created by the renowned Italian mixologist Simone Caporale.
“With Radici, I am so excited to bring the food of my childhood to my London home,” says Francesco Mazzei. “I have lived in Islington for over 20 years, and I hope that this relaxed neighbourhood restaurant will soon become a part of the local community and a go-to venue for authentic southern Italian food in London.”
