Sartoria Launceston Place will occupy the former site of The Evolv Collection’s fine dining restaurant Launceston Place.
At the time, the group said it was considering its options for the well-known site, which has been home to a number of top chefs over the years including Rowley Leigh, Tristan Welch and Tim Allen.
It is understood that The Evolv Collection had explored recruiting a high-profile chef to take on the restaurant but has instead opted to install one of its most successful brands.
The group, formerly known as D&D London, says it has ambitious plans for Sartoria over the next six months.
It will soon convert Fiume in Battersea - which was positioned as a sister restaurant brand to Sartoria when it launched in 2017 - into a Sartoria restaurant and open another in Liverpool Street, with further locations to follow.
Sartoria Launceston Place will offer an all-day dining experience “that combines the accessible luxury of cucina elegante with effortless Milanese style, infused with the spirit of Launceston Place,” the group says.
Founded by Sir Terence Conran in 1990 on Mayfair’s Savile Row, Sartoria fused the sartorial heritage of its address with authentic Italian cuisine to become one of London’s best-known Italian restaurants.
“Sir Terence Conran’s vision for Sartoria was to introduce guests to the elegant style of Milan,” says Martin Williams, CEO of The Evolv Collection. “This opening marks an important step in our strategic vision to create iconic, recognisable brands that stand the test of time.”
The expansion of Sartoria is part of a wave of changes at The Evolv Collection that appear to be designed to simplify and streamline its portfolio.
Late last month, the group announced that it was changing the name of all of its high-rise restaurants to create a single brand.
It has also created a new steak house concept, Chop House & Tavern, which is in the process of rolling out across three London sites.