A bit of Sicily comes to Fitzrovia starting Monday, 9 November, when chef Santino Busciglio opens the doors to his new restaurant Mennula, located on the former site of Gennaro Contaldo. Busciglio was formerly head chef at Number Twelve in Bloomsbury, while his restaurant manager, Angelo Todaro, was most recently at Zafferano. The 44-seat contemporary Italian will have a strong Sicilian influence, with dishes including sea bass ravioli with pumpkin, chilli and razor clams, and traditional cannoli with sweet ewes ricotta. Expect starters to range from £7.50–16, and mains to be £16.50–20. A set lunch menu of three courses will be offered for £19.50 (open Monday–Friday for lunch, noon–3 PM, and Monday–Saturday for dinner 6–11 PM; call 020-7363-2833 for reservations; 10 Charlotte St., W1T; online reservations and menu here).
– Roger Clarke