Former US embassy could soon host New York restaurant chain
By Adrian Zorzut, Local Democracy Reporter
A popular New York restaurant chain where a plate of pasta can cost up to £37 and bottles of Champagne up to £1,000, has applied to open inside the former American embassy in Mayfair.
Carbone, an Italian-American inspired eatery honouring the so-called “red sauce” tradition of mid-20th century Italian restaurants in New York, could open in Grosvenor Square by 2025, according to a licensing application submitted to Westminster City council.
The restaurant has applied to operate seven days a week in the ground floor and basement of Chancery Rosewood, the soon-to-be opened retail and hotel destination at the site.
It is expected to fit as many as 300 customers and stay open until midnight, according to its application.
There will also be outside dining offered in Grosvenor Square and Upper Brook Street.
Carbone is owned by Major Food Group, a hospitality business established by chefs Mario Carbone, Rich Torrisi and restaurateur Jeff Zalaznick and has restaurants in more than 50 sites globally.
This is Carbone’s first foray into Britain.
The restaurant offers diners a chance to try “elevated” traditional dishes like lobster fra diavolo – a red sauce pasta dish with chunks of lobster – and linguine vongole in “comfortable and unpretentious” settings.
A review of Carbone’s US menu shows a plate of pasta ravioli costs $54 (£37). One meat dish – veal Marsala – is $95 (£74). Customers can also buy a bottle of Louis Roederer ‘Cristal’ Champagne for $1,250 (£978).
According to Hot Diners, Carbone is the second restaurant to announce it will be opening at Chancery Rosewood. The restaurant is expected to open on the northeast corner of the site.
In 2018, Rosewood Hotel Group and real estate company 30 GS NOMINEE 1 LIMITED began work to turn former embassy into a lavish 140-room hotel and retail bazaar.
The Grade-II listed building was designed by the Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and opened in 1960. It was home to US diplomats for half a century until the embassy moved to Nine Elms in 2017.
Westminster City councillors will review the application on July 11.
Pictured top: Interior of Carbone restaurant in New York. Carbone has applied to open in London (Picture: Carbone/Major Food)