Lita, a new restaurant from Canadian-born restaurateur Daniel Koukarskikh, opened this spring in the Marylebone neighborhood of central London. The kitchen is led by Irish chef Luke Ahearne, originally from Clonmel, Co. Tipperary, and formerly head chef at Corrigan’s in Mayfair.
© Beth Evans
Named Lita as a shorthand for abuelita (Spanish for grandmother), the restaurant brings a fine bistro approach to London with a produce-driven, seasonal menu inspired by the flavors of southern Europe. Dishes are prepared on a fire grill in an open kitchen, where the emphasis is on simple, ingredient-led cooking that highlights regional produce and changes with the seasons. The list of wines focuses on small producers and well-regarded European houses, chosen to complement the menu.
“The open fire grill kitchen is the heartbeat of the restaurant where Chef Ahearne and his talented staff prepare each dish,” said Koukarskikh. “Our aim is to create the ultimate neighborhood bistro with an appetizing menu, a great wine list and a relaxed atmosphere. We wanted something unique for the area that offers a modern-day dining experience for food enthusiasts and wine lovers, whether visitors or locals.”
Designed for sharing, the menu features small, refined plates such as chopped Hereford beef with Amalfi lemon and shoestring fries; morels with wild garlic and lardo di Colonnata; and Norfolk quail with burnt pear and duck hearts. Larger dishes intended for sharing include Cornish monkfish with fennel, winter tomatoes and bouillabaisse; a Peak District T-bone steak; and a whole Cornish turbot. Desserts continue the seasonal focus, with options like rum baba with charcoal cream Chantilly; Yorkshire rhubarb millefeuille with Madagascan vanilla, blood orange and ginger; and an Amalfi lemon meringue pie.
© Ingrid Rasmussen
Lita’s dining room is rustic and welcoming, filled with natural light. The floor features reclaimed terracotta tiles laid in a herringbone pattern and exposed wooden joists run across the ceiling. Guests are welcomed by a large timber-clad bar topped with deep red-veined marble and a long banquette upholstered in warm, blood-orange mohair. Restored antique tables and chairs by Guillerme et Chambron from Lille furnish the space alongside cozy booths and stools at the kitchen counter.
The restaurant seats around 80 guests indoors with an additional 20 on the front terrace. Lita is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, and reservations can be made online.