Long-standing London chain Spaghetti House has
launched a ‘boutique’ version of its family-friendly Italian restaurants in Kensington, to update its offering for diners’ changing expectations.
The group was established in 1955 by two Italian friends; today, it has 12 branches, but fierce competition from the likes of independent Italian restaurants such as Polpo, Bocca di Lupo, and Trullo, and recently opened or refurbished chains including Jamie's Italian and Zizzi.
The new-look Kensington venue (pictured) is smaller than its siblings and decked out in neutral spring colours and light woods, with monochrome pictures of Italian life on the walls, plus an open
kitchen.
The menu, too, has been updated, with regional specialities such as Sicilian olives and Puglian breads, classic draws such as risottos and stone-baked pizzas, and weekly specials such as spaghetti
with lobster. Meanwhile, for dessert, there’s pizza Nutella – pizza dough covered with pistachios and acacia honey and served with Nutella.
The boutique Kensington venue is the first step in a repositioning of the Spaghetti House brand; the group’s flagship branch, on Fitzrovia’s Goodge Street, will reopen at the end of May following a
complete refurbishment, with refurbishments of other branches in the chain to follow.
This article was published in April 2012.