The actor newly named as the favourite to be become the next James Bond has made an announcement of his own as he’s opening an intimate Italian restaurant in Highbury next month. Theo James, best known for his roles in the second season of The White Lotus and in Guy Ritchie’s The Gentlemen, is currently the most likely actor to replace Daniel Craig with the bookies but he’s already got plenty on his plate.
Theo has teamed up with restaurateur and close friend Ed Templeton to open Lupa, a neighbourhood spot inspired by traditional Roman osterias. Nestled on a quiet corner of Highbury Park, the project has been a dream for the local pair since meeting through their wives a few years ago.
With just 28 seats, Lupa will be a laidback joint serving dinner on Wednesdays to Sundays and lunch on the weekends. Headed up by Milan-raised chef Naz Hassan, formerly of the Michelin-starred Pidgin, the succinct menu will feature seasonal specials with an emphasis on regional favourites from Rome and the surrounding Lazio region.
Diners can enjoy starters such as courgette blossoms stuffed with anchovies and burrata, delicately fried artichokes or fish crudo, before tucking into a primi course boasting carbonara, bucatini all’amatriciana and cacio e pepe with hand-rolled pasta
Dishes on the ingredients-led secondi selection include slow-roasted porchetta, grilled lamb cutlets and meatballs in a rich tomato sauce. A short but sweet line-up of desserts round off the menu, with handcrafted tiramisu, choux pastry fritters, cream-filled brioche buns and fruit pies all on offer.
Arsenal fans are in for a treat too as the restaurant will be putting together hearty roast pork sandwiches to takeaway on match days.
Co-founder Ed Templeton said: “Theo and I are both Highbury locals and share an ambition to open an enduring neighbourhood classic. It’s taken 18 months to make it happen, but we knew it was a special corner of Highbury from the start.
“We want people to enjoy it in its entirety, making sure they save room for the homemade dolci. Lupa is the kind of place we’ve always wanted to have on our doorstep.”
You will find Lupa at 73 Highbury Park from late-June. Check out their website and Instagram for the latest news in the meantime.
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