Londrino

NOTE: Londrino has sadly now closed.

You might want to be sitting down for this.

Leandro Carreira has opened his first restaurant.

Okay, that statement may not seem like the biggest deal, but trust us when we say it is. Because Leandro Carreira first trained as a chef at Mugaritz in Spain (two Michelin Stars, currently No.9 on the World’s 50 Best list)  before becoming head chef at the groundbreaking Viajante in London, then working at award-magnet Lyle’s and Koya. So let’s just say that he’s not a complete layabout behind a stove.

His debut spot is in Southwark, sporting a bright, neo-industrial space filled with a seamless blend of warm wood & cold concrete tones, all split between a well-lit restaurant space – thanks to the floor-to-ceiling windows – and a no-reservation wine bar area. We’ll start in,

THE RESTAURANT

It’s here that Leandro’s cooking up an ever-evolving menu that “observes the flavours, traditions and ingredients from his native Portugal, through the eyes of a chef that now calls London home”. Which, essentially means that you can expect dishes ranging from the wine-cooked clams Bulhão pato with coriander; to octopus with red pepper miso; fermented potato with egg yolk & mustard; traditional Portuguese beef maronesa; and mackerel with Savoy cabbage & smoked seaweed butter.

Added to all that, there’s a regional Portuguese cheese trolley, and dishes such as grilled soaked brioche with sour caramel & hazelnuts available for dessert. And then there’s,

THE WINE BAR

Here, you can score a few small plates (cured meats, cheeses, grilled quail with toffee mayo – the usual) to be washed down with a continually changing list of Portuguese wines, mostly from small producers, and mostly available by the glass.

We’ll drink to that.

NOTE: Londrino has sadly now closed.

Londrino | 36 Snowsfields, SE1 3SU

Like Portuguese food? Get thee to Bar Duoro…