As regular readers will know, Islington is Hot Dinners' home turf, and we've really seen a big shift in the area over the last couple of years, with a number of very interesting restaurants opening nearby. And now there's another to add to the list with all-day Italian Vivo.
It's opening on Upper Street (right between Rattlesnake and O'Neill's) and is planned as a combined bakery and restaurant. Behind it are two brothers, Will and Ben Thompson, who are aiming for an informal, local neighbourhood restaurant vibe. Dishes will include freshly baked ciabatta and focaccia, torte rustica (Italian savoury pies), authentic Roman pizza ‘al taglio’ (rectangular slices), fresh salads, speciality cheese and meat boards - as well as lasagne and cannelloni.
Italian desserts include gianduja chocolate tart with raspberry puree. There's a bakery on-site available for takeaway and they'll also be making "celebration cakes" to order too.
It'll be an all-day restaurant, open from breakfast and coffee is supplied by Neapolitan roaster Kimbo. Drinks wise, there's a focus on Italian wine, prosecco and beer, spirits and cocktails - and there will be an early evening aperitivo hour.
The restaurant will seat 50 and will also feature an open-air roof terrace for 35 more - which should definitely get some late summer use when the restaurant opens in September.
Vivo opens at 57-58 Upper Street on October 9. Follow them @vivo_taste
