BOLO marks the return of celebrated Italian chef Gennaro Contaldo to London's restaurant scene, taking up a historic site in the heart of Soho on Glasshouse Street. Created in partnership with Brava Hospitality Group, the restaurant takes its name from Contaldo’s signature bolognese recipe and promises a refreshingly focused take on the classic Italian trattoria.
For many diners, Contaldo needs little introduction. Born in Minori on the Amalfi Coast, he has spent decades championing regional Italian cooking in the UK. He built a loyal following through his acclaimed Fitzrovia restaurant Passione, his bestselling cookbooks, and numerous television appearances, while also becoming widely known as an early mentor to Jamie Oliver. His influence on British perceptions of Italian food has been significant, helping to popularise a style of cooking that prioritises simplicity, seasonality and quality ingredients.
BOLO is expected to reflect those same principles. Early details suggest the restaurant will be an intimate 32-cover space inspired by traditional neighbourhood trattorias, with a concise menu centred around freshly made pasta and seasonal Italian dishes. While the full offering has yet to be unveiled, Contaldo has hinted at some of the dishes guests can expect, including a hearty bolognese ragù, lemon tagliolini inspired by the Amalfi Coast, and seafood pasta recipes that draw on his southern Italian roots.
The drinks list is also set to embrace a straightforward philosophy, with reports of a pared-back wine selection organised around a one-wine-per-colour approach.
Located on Glasshouse Street in the heart of Soho, BOLO looks set to bring Contaldo’s warm, generous style of hospitality to a new generation of London diners. While details remain limited ahead of opening, the concept suggests a return to the uncomplicated Italian cooking that has defined Contaldo’s career: fresh pasta, regional recipes and a welcoming trattoria atmosphere at the centre of it all.