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The former chef of Locanda Locatelli, Louis Korovilas is set to open a new Italian restaurant in London’s West End.

William IV Street will become home to Bancone as it opens in May in collaboration with restaurateurs David Ramsey and William Ellner.

Bancone will the first opening in central London for Ellner.

He said: “I’m thrilled to have Louis on board at Bancone. He’s incredibly passionate about Italian food and produce and comes from a prestigious restaurant background. Italian food — particularly pasta — is enjoying the limelight in London once again and we can’t wait to open on William IV Street and bring you our modern interpretation of the cuisine.”

Korovilas comes to Bancome following  working with Italian chef Giorgio Locatelli for the last five years at his London restaurant, Locanda Locatelli, and having also spent time at Michelin-starred Pied à Terre in Fitzrovia.

The restaurant will focus on Italian small plates and pasta dishes. Small plate dishes with include seasonal arancini, duck ham giardinera and oysters with panelled fritters. The pasta menu itself will feature a taglioni with clams, a lamb neck ravioli, and a spaghetti alla chitarra “cacio e pepe”. Korovilas will also be serving up hearty ragùs – including a pappardelle served with kid goat and rosemary – many of which will be slow cooked for over 10 hours.