Francesco Mazzei Will Open a New Calabrian Restaurant in Battersea Power Station

In mid-November chef Francesco Mazzei will launch Fiume, a modern Italian restaurant at Circus West Village in the vast Battersea Power Station development on the bank of the River Thames — it is the chef’s third venture in partnership with restaurant group, D&D London. Chef Francesco Chiarelli will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the kitchen, having worked with Mazzei for many years at L’Anima and Sartoria.

The restaurant will take inspiration from Mezzogiorno, the south-western region of Italy, which includes not just Calabria — ‘the toe’ of the country, Mazzei’s home — but Sicily and Sardinia as well. Mezzogiorno’s rich culinary heritage comprises eight different regions, each with specific and traditional recipes and identities. Fiume — meaning river — will incorporate and translate these traditions into a seasonal Mediterranean menu.

• Cicchetti and antipasti will include: Saffron and mozzarella supplì di riso and octopus with cannellini beans with freshly-made breads from the restaurant’s oven.
• Handmade pastas: Burrata tortelli with hazelnuts and sage; lamb ragout fettucine; and Cacio e pepe.
• ‘Secondi’ (main courses) will include beef tagliata and classic aubergine parmigiana. In addition, Francesco will be bringing his signature dishes such as zucchini fritti, seafood fregola and tiramisu for dolci.

A large piazza-style terrace “filled with lemon and olive trees, and rustic terracotta pots planted with aromatic rosemary and lavender,” is, the announcement said, “set to transport guests to the sun-baked Mediterranean landscapes that have inspired the restaurant.” On the bank of the Thames? Buona fortuna!

Fiume Official

At weekends, families will be welcomed to join a relaxed Italian-style brunch, offering eggs purgatorio; “The Italian Job” (presumably a riff on the full English breakfast); and frittata. Classic and contemporary Italian cocktails will be overseen by mixologist Simone Caporale, alongside a bespoke list of Italian wines. Throughout the year, Fiume will host events including wine tasting dinners and cookery classes with Mazzei himself.

The Battersea Power Station redevelopment project, due to be completed in multiple stages, includes a number of new restaurants: The Copenhagen pizzeria, Mother, is now open. The owners of Ducksoup and Raw Duck are planning to open Duckroad and chef/restaurateur Vivek Singh also announced that he will be opening a second Cinnamon Kitchen there next month.

As well as Fiume, Mazzei operates two other restaurants in London, in partnership with restaurant group D&D: Radici in Islington and Sartoria in Mayfair.

Reservations for Fiume are now being taken for all services from 17 November.