Peruvian chef Virgilio Martinez and his partners, Gabriel and Jose Luis Gonzalez, will open a new Lima site on Garrick Street, Covent Garden, this July. The new restaurant, Lima Floral, will bring a mergance of traditional and contemporary Peruvian cuisine to London.
Gabriel Gonzalez says: “We are so excited to have found a beautiful site in Covent Garden. After two years of operating Lima, we thought it was time to develop a casual and fun offering with serious food credentials in this foodie destination. The cuisine will be of very high quality, using traditional and unique cooking techniques. Lima Floral will be split in two spaces: the main restaurant and a piqueos bar (essentially a bar serving tapas dishes which is very traditional in Peru).”
Following a launch to critical acclaim in August 2012, Lima became the first Peruvian restaurant in Europe to be awarded a Michelin star in September last year. In reflection of this, the menu at the new site, overseen by Virgilio and head chef Robert Ortiz, will feature some of Lima’s most popular dishes alongside new plates.
Created by B3 Designers – the name behind Gymkhana, Bubbledogs and Roka – the interior design will have strong native influences throughout. Large arched windows will create a bright and airy dining room on the ground floor, while the basement bar will be a comfortable drinking den.