The addition of The Petersham, La Goccia and Floral Court at Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden will complement the existing homewares shop, delicatessen, wine cellar and florist to complete this lifestyle destination in the heart of London.
The restaurants will be accessible via both Floral Street and King Street and will flow onto the aptly named Floral Court, a central courtyard which will transform the urban space into a haven and garden of inspiration.
Lara Boglione, Managing Director and eldest daughter of Francesco and Gael is the visionary and driving force behind the brand’s move to Covent Garden. Having opened the first phase in the summer of 2017, she is now working with Damian Clisby, who leads the culinary direction of the new restaurants and bar.
Damian brings with him years of experience with a background that includes J Sheekey with Tim Hughes, Putney Bridge under Anthony Demetre and Thyme with Adam Byatt, Executive Chef at Cotswold House. Latterly, Damian has spent the last four years at Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond.
Maintaining the family’s passion for seasonality, Italian food, and responsibly sourced ingredients, Damian works closely with his suppliers and Harry Boglione, son of Gael and Francesco, whose Haye Farm provides much of the produce used throughout Petersham Nurseries.
The Petersham
The Petersham, an oasis of calm away from the hustle and bustle of the city, is an elegant and refined à la carte restaurant.
Drawing inspiration from the family home, Petersham House in Richmond, the interiors demonstrate the Bogliones’ passion for contemporary art, Murano glassware and understated grandeur, reflecting their personal tastes and collections.
Respecting the Slow Food philosophy of Good, Clean and Fair and the traditions on which Petersham Nurseries Richmond was founded, The Petersham will focus on the finest seasonal produce, quality ingredients and Italian flavours.
Serving lunch and dinner, with pre and post-theatre menus, diners can enjoy seasonal Bellinis with tempting appetisers, handmade pasta and gnocchi, day boat fish from Cornwall, organic meat from Haye Farm and Petersham Nurseries garden salad.
Desserts will include Petersham Nurseries’ Original Bean Chocolate with Zisola olive oil and sea salt and the finest of Italian and British cheeses.
La Goccia
La Goccia will be a vibrant, accessible, all-day restaurant with an open kitchen, wood-fired oven, large grill and dining bar. From breakfast through to dinner, the dishes will be prepared by chefs in front of guests, adding an element of drama and theatre to the ambience.
It will offer Petersham Nurseries’ interpretation of the Italian aperitivo and small plates known as ‘Cicchetti’. The emphasis on seasonality will be key to the extensive menu that will change regularly with the best seasonal produce.
Expect to see pizzettes, fritti and dishes inspired by the garden, such as spring Panzanella. Fresh pasta made daily will be served alongside homemade Tuscan-style sausages and vegetables from the grill.
La Goccia will also celebrate one hero ingredient each month through three or four simple dishes and a recipe to take home. Ingredients will be available to buy in the Delicatessen across the Courtyard.
For the first time, Petersham Nurseries will serve its own signature cocktails in La Goccia Bar. Inspired by nature and evolving with the seasons, the cocktail list will be a thoughtfully created menu of crafted cocktails using botanicals, herbs and edible flowers.
This perfect meeting point will overlook Floral Court and surround a striking bar which has been hand cast from individual bronze leaves.
Petersham Cellar
Petersham Cellar will supply La Goccia with a frequently changing hand-picked selection of wines from around Italy. For the wine connoisseur, a more extensive list of fine wines will be offered at The Petersham.
Bringing Petersham Nurseries Home
Both The Petersham and La Goccia will provide a source of interior inspiration for those looking to emulate the style of Petersham Nurseries in their own home.
Unique furniture, glassware, crockery, vases and table decorations admired by guests in the new restaurants will be available to buy in The Shop within the Covent Garden destination.
The coexistence of retail and restaurant spaces has long played a role in the Petersham Nurseries offering in Richmond, and this is now being taken one step further in central London.
From the recipe cards in La Goccia featuring ingredients available to buy in The Delicatessen to the unique homewares found in The Shop, Petersham Nurseries Covent Garden will become a place for the Boglione family to share their personal style and tastes.
The Courtyard
At the heart of Petersham Nurseries, Covent Garden will be Floral Court, a central courtyard that captures the spirit of the business in its new location. Surrounded by evergreen walls, the courtyard combines English country charm with Italian elegance.
It will be a place of calm that encourages positive living and a space to reconnect with nature. During the spring and summer months, tables will flow out onto the courtyard, where al fresco dining will be offered.
A haven for the senses, the iconic romanticism and signature style attributed to Petersham Nurseries is evident in this urban garden—handcrafted Italian terracotta pots brim with dramatically wild, colourful and fragrant displays of seasonal plants and flowers.
Welcoming all, the courtyard will become a destination in its own right for those seeking tranquillity and inspiration.
The Urban School of Garden Inspiration
Petersham Nurseries’ passion for horticulture is demonstrated in its School of Garden Inspiration, which was set up by Thomas Broom-Hughes in Richmond in 2015.
With a desire to share knowledge and impart new skills in this central London location, the Horticultural Team has announced a calendar of events under the title of The Urban School of Garden Inspiration.
Taking place around the Potting Bench within The Shop and on occasion in the Courtyard, guests can immerse themselves in these creative workshops whilst learning new skills in a stimulating environment.
Bringing the Garden Back to Covent Garden
True to the horticultural origins of the Boglione family business and the heritage of Covent Garden’s past, there could not be a more fitting location for this new lifestyle destination in Central London.
Bringing the strong values and ethos established at Petersham Nurseries Café in Richmond, The Petersham, La Goccia and Floral Court will add new character to the existing fold, upholding the traditions on which Petersham Nurseries was founded.
Opening hours:
- The Petersham
Monday – Sunday: 11.30 am–midnight.
(Serving lunch and dinner, pre and post-theatre menus. Lunch 12 pm–3 pm, Dinner 5 pm–10.30 pm)
Afternoon Tea – from May - La Goccia
Monday – Saturday: 8 am-midnight, Sunday: 10am-midnight
(Serving breakfast, lunch, dinner and cocktails, 8 am – 10.30 pm) - La Goccia Bar
Monday – Sunday: 12 pm – 11.30 pm - The Delicatessen and Florist
Monday – Saturday: 8 am – 8 pm; Sunday: 10 am – 6 pm - The Shop
Monday – Saturday: 10 am– 8 pm, Sunday: 12 pm – 6 pm