A new branch of popular Soho Italian Lina Stores has opened in a Grade II-listed former bank.
The restaurant opens in Shoreditch High Street today (Saturday October 19) serving handmade pasta, antipasti, secondi and dolci from lunch through to dinner.
It is housed in a former NatWest bank branch, built between 1865 and 1880 in distinctive Italianate style. The 87-seat restaurant occupies the ground-floor while the basement welcomes a second iteration of Lina Stores’ aperitivo bar Bar Lina.
The timber and mosaic floor of the banking hall has been restored, and walls have been left untouched to reveal decades of history, providing a contrast to the contemporary interiors and furnishings.
They include Lina Stores familiar pistachio green hues, marble-top tables, plush banquette seating and opal glass lamps.
A formica and oak bar offers a spot to watch the chefs at work, and tucked away behind timber panels beneath the original skylight is a private dining room for 12 guests.
The entrance to Bar Lina is separate and reached down a staircase. Once the back office for the bank, the space has been transformed, with a marble bar running the length of it and a dark red colour scheme, exposed brickwork, and lighting harking back to 1970’s Italy.
Offering twists on classic dishes and drinks inspired by Italy’s bar culture, Bar Lina has space for up to 52 guest, with the bank’s original vault converted into a semi-private lounge seating 12.
Lina Stores first opened in Brewer Street, Soho, in 1944 as an Italian delicatessen selling home-made pasta and regional cured meats, cheeses and oils.
Named after original owner Lina, who ran it with partner Emilio, it remains today with its distinctive green livery. Handed on to Italian families down the generations, there are now three delis and six restaurants including locations in King's Cross and Marylebone.
The new restaurant offers antipasti such as sea bream crudo with fennel, lemon and basil or anchovies with grilled bruschetta.
Signature pasta dishes include spinach and ricotta tre latte gnudi and spaghetti alla chitarra, alongside favourites such as truffle taglioni and pappardelle with lamb sausage ragù.
New dishes include luganega sausage with spring greens, chilli and garlic whilst dolci will include the signature Lina Stores tiramisu as well as homemade ice creams and sorbets.
The wine list ranges from organic and biodynamic wines from all corners of Italy.
Bar Lina will complement Shoreditch's buzzing night life with a rotating list of DJs playing genre spanning music covering Lina Stores’ eight decades, from Italo and synth pop to 1960s and 70s funk.
“Very much like Soho, Shoreditch has a rich food history and the East End welcomed many Italian immigrants over the years," says Masha Rener, head chef of Lina Stores.
"Combined with the stunning architecture of this former banking building, it really did confirm to us that Shoreditch is a perfect home for Lina Stores. We are very excited to also add Bar Lina to what is already a hugely vibrant bar scene."
Lina Stores Shoreditch is at 180-182 Shoreditch High Street. www.linastores.co.uk
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