Dante marks the first independent venture from Louis Korovilas and Taylor Sessegnon-Shakespeare, who first worked together at Pied à Terre in 2016. Since then, Korovilas has cooked at restaurants including Locanda Locatelli and Bancone, and Sessegnon-Shakespeare has honed her pastry skills in a number of kitchens, including Tavolino, Luca and Brunswick House.
The pair have now reunited at Islington Arts Club having taken over the intimate 27-cover space with a tasting-style menu that champions seasonal produce, lesser-known cuts, and whole-animal butchery. The residency runs from Friday dinner through to Sunday lunch, with a single evening sitting on Fridays and Saturdays, and a more relaxed format on Sundays.
Dante is described as refined European dining concept rooted in French and Italian traditions and will serve a menu that will rotate weekly. Dishes include broad bean orzotto with glazed chicken wing; aubergine scarpece with clam bagna cauda and crispy palourde clams; beef carpaccio with oyster mayonnaise and baby artichokes; and seasonal financiers to finish.
A signature dish for two, a whole suckling pig belly, reflects the team’s commitment to nose-to-tail cooking and sustainability.
Reservations are available via email, with pre-paid tickets offered through the restaurant’s website. Guests who book in advance will be treated to a complimentary secret course, such as a red prawn crudo.
A limited number of walk-ins are also accepted.
The dining room features mismatched furniture and large windows and has been designed to be ideal for a special occasion or a relaxed weekend indulgence.
“London’s food scene is constantly evolving, and we want Dante to reflect that diversity. We’re bringing back small but meaningful touches—like complimentary bread selections - that speak to true hospitality,” says Sessegnon-Shakespeare.
Korovilas adds: “There’s a lot of repetition in the current dining landscape. We’re stepping away from trends and focusing on bold, personal cooking that excites us.”
Dante officially launches on 1 August but is open now for softs.