A Legendary Clerkenwell Restaurant Expands to Hackney Wick

Sam and Sam Clark of Moro and Morito have announced that they will launch a new outside catering company, called Casa Moro, as well as a new private dining room space in Hackney Wick — in May.

It is 20 years since the two Sams, both alumni of the River Cafe in Hammersmith, opened Moro — a now iconic and essential North African and Mediterranean restaurant — on Exmouth Market. Morito, a much smaller tapas bar, opened a few doors down in 2010; Morito Hackney Road opened in 2016.

Casa Moro will aim to offer an alternative to the “ordinary corporate style of catering” for special dinners, family celebrations, weddings, canapé receptions, corporate functions and festivals. The group is known variously for its Spanish, North African and Middle Eastern style, as well as more recently, Cretan cuisine, adopted since 2016 Marianna Leivaditaki took over as head chef of Morito. Prices will range from £35 to £50 per person.

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The new private dining room space in Hackney Wick has been created for “location shoots or an intimate lunch or dinner party” for up to 50 seated guests, or a drinks reception for up to 75 guests. Danish designer Nina Tolstrup of Studiomama is behind the space, which also includes a terrace overlooking the River Lea and Queen Elizabeth Park (Olympic village).

Casa Moro will also host a selection of one-off ticketed events at the new Hackney Wick space throughout the year, launching with an exclusive Moro Mangal dinner party hosted by the Clarks and Leivaditaki on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 June. Drinks will be served on the outdoor terrace whilst the kitchen will prepare the food over open fire, followed by a sit down dinner inside.

Casa Moro will join Cornerstone, Tom Brown, who moves from Outlaw’s, the Michelin-starred seafood restaurant by chef Nathan Outlaw in Knightsbridge, which is due to open in Hackney Wick this month. It’s suddenly become a neighbourhood to pay close attention to over the coming months.