Ornella, a new Milanese restaurant from the Lupa team, opens this week

Reservation lines have opened for Ornella, a new restaurant serving Milanese cuisine, which is due to open on Friday 8^th May at 51 Wilton Way in London Fields. The restaurant comes from Ed Templeton and Theo James, the founders of the Roman-inspired restaurant Lupa, with Naz Hassan as head chef.

The trio have created a menu focused on classic dishes from Northern Italy, reflecting the city where Hassan was raised and where he began his culinary career. The restaurant is named after the Milanese singer Ornella Vanoni. It follows the opening of Lupa and occupies a corner site.

The team has said the venture allows them to explore a region that remains relatively underrepresented among London restaurants. The menu draws on Milanese establishments including Osteria Conchetta, Trattoria del Nuovo Macello and Trippa.

On the opening, co-founder Ed Templeton said: “We’d always spoken about doing another one one day but I don’t think we ever imagined we’d be opening a second restaurant just nine months later. Sites like this one don’t come up very often though. When we were discussing the concept, we knew immediately that we had to give Naz the chance to cook the food of his home city. He’s exceptionally talented, as is his sous chef Sandro. We can’t wait to see how they channel their talent into another iconic city with another very strong culinary identity. We could have done a second Lupa, and maybe we will one day, but we wanted to do something even more ambitious here and Milan gives us licence to do that. We’re super excited to become part of another very special neighbourhood.”

Theo James added: “Ed and I are so excited to continue the journey with the exceptionally talented Naz, Sandro and the rest of the team. Their dedication to quality and delicious food has made Lupa a joy to shepherd and evolve. Ornella gives us a chance to tackle Milanese cuisine in an exciting new part of London, but still close enough to our front doors.”

The menu is rooted in the butter-rich, Alpine-influenced cuisine of Milan, alongside culinary influences from across northern Italy. It follows the classic antipasti, primi, secondi and dolci structure, with dishes such as Mondeghili meatballs, Penne alla Vodka and Risotto alla Milanese, alongside Vitello Tonnato, Cotoletta di Vitello and desserts including Mille Foglie alle Fragole and Zuppa Inglese. Hassan is working with suppliers such as Cibo to source produce including 30-month aged parmesan from Caseificio Rosola and burro bianco from Veneto.

The drinks list centres on the aperitivo, with a cocktail selection, Italian wines from small-scale producers and a range of amaro. Highlights include Negronis, Sbagliatos and seasonal serves such as the Rhubarb Americano, an Almond & Grape Sour and a Fig Leaf Martini.

Ornella will seat 48, with some window seats reserved for walk-ins and al fresco dining. The interiors were developed by the founders with Studio Arlette and carpenter Herb Palmer, drawing on Milan’s neighbourhood ristoranti with wood panelling, mid-century furnishings, oak tables and 1950s dining chairs. A gantry centrepiece fitted with mottled glass runs from the kitchen to the bar, and an open kitchen sits within the dining room. Commissioned artwork by Bristol-based Jay Harper will hang alongside work by Simone Kearney.

Food Desk

Ornella is set to open on 8 May at 51 Wilton Way in London Fields. Reservation lines are now open.