Overview
Joe Vargetto moved Mister Bianco to a much bigger site in Kew late last year, and we are only now seeing his fully realised plans for the site.
First, he got Mister Bianco all settled. Here, he's delivering refined Sicilian cuisine layered with contemporary European touches. The team also got to sorting out the upstairs private dining space La Sala, looking out over the increasingly buzzy Cotham Road.
And now, it's all about Bianchetto. The new cocktail and wine bar is right next to its sibling Mister Bianco, throwing similar cool and sophisticated vibes but with the lights turned down even more. Most of the 42-seat bar's lighting comes from the small table lamps and black-and-white 1960s Italian films projected on the wall.
Feel your way to one of the leather benches, kicking things off with its signature Americano. For this classic Italian cocktail, the team will wheel a trolley over to you and make it tableside.
But it's not all about the look and feel. And the theatrics are minimal.
Award-winning bartender and owner of Loro Orlando Marzo has been brought on to make sure the cocktails are absolutely next level. Marzo is a master, so expect each creation to be that extra bit special. He's mostly reworked classic European cocktails for Bianchetto, like the Sicilian Sour made with marsala, tomato and lemon.
Either pop in simply for some bevs before hitting Mister Bianco, or fill your table with enough snacking plates to make a proper meal out of the whole affair.
Vargetto has, of course, designed the food menu here, offering up his signature take on contemporary Sicilian cuisine. Pair your wine and cocktails with nduja-stuffed olives, toasted mortadella sangas and zucchini flowers with black truffle honey.
Kristoffer Paulsen
End the night with an olive oil martini or Australian bergamot negroni paired with a few scoops of amaro gelato and a whisky and chocolate cigar.
Like the restaurant, Vargetto cooly blends old-school Italian sensibilities with contemporary flair at Bianchetto. His trio of drinking and dining spaces is yet another reason to head over to Kew, which is becoming quite the destination for foodies these days.
You'll find Bianchetto at 26–28 Cotham Road, Kew, open Tuesday–Saturday from 6pm. For more information, head to the venue's website.
Images: Arianna Leggiero