Gennaro Contaldo, best-known as Jamie Oliver’s mentor, has opened his latest restaurant near Piccadilly Circus – at the mature age of 77.
Named Bolo after his signature Bolognese ragu, the 32-seat trattoria in Air Street serves a tight menu that revolves around seven pasta dishes – including the ‘Jamie’ (mezze maniche with sausage, Calabrian chilli bolo & friarielli) and the ‘Antonio’, in memory of the late Antonio Carluccio (pappardelle with porcini & mascarpone bolo).
Gennaro said ahead of the launch last week: “I’m so excited to be opening up a restaurant in central London again. It’s going to be a small, busy, buzzy trattoria serving some of my favourite dishes. From a hearty Bolognese ragu to Amalfi coast-inspired dishes of my home like lemon tagliolini and seafood pasta. I can’t wait to feed you all and welcome you to my new home, Bolo.
“After more than 60 years in the kitchen, I’m still a romantic at heart. Love the food, love the people you’re cooking for, and everything else will work out beautifully in the end.”
Gennaro began helping out in restaurants on the Amalfi coast at the age of eight, and moved to England at the age of 20. He met Jamie while working at Antonio Carlucci’s Neal Street Restaurant and opened his own restaurant, Passione on Charlotte Street, in 1999; his last restaurant, it ran for ten years, and launched a prolific career on television and writing cookbooks.
Bolo has opened in partnership with Jamie Oliver and the Brava Hospitality Group, which is also behind the Prezzo and Jamie’s Italian brands.