A new contemporary Sicilian kitchen and bar led by Executive Chef Alfio Laudani is set to launch at Hyatt Place London City East.

Sotto Cucina & Bar will serve a menu of contemporary Sicilian dishes with a focus on quality British ingredients. The menu marries the influence of Laudani’s upbringing in the Catania region of Sicily with his 17 years cooking in London restaurants, including The Rex Whistler and Cipriani.

A selection of aperitivo dishes on offer include saffron arancini with Datterino tomato jam and superstraccia, while main dishes include Alfio’s signature dish Timballo alla Norma, and maccheroni pasta with a spiced Sicilian fennel sausage ragout. Fish main courses range from Branzino alla Ghiotta – whole grilled seabass with cherry tomato, olives, capers and Tropea onion – to Merluzzo in Agrodolce, a combination of fried cod cheeks, sweet and sour onion crispy potato and mint.  

The wine list from Manuel Lorente Rubio focuses on Mediterranean wines, with a number from Sicily. Cocktails, created by Lucrezia Frosutto, will be aperitivo-inspired, including the Assolato with Bourbon, peach liquor, Amaro Averna, lemon juice and sugar syrup, and the Biondo with vodka, Aperol and Limoncello.  

Interiors have been designed to embody the charm of Sicilian trattorias, combining rustic elegance with contemporary art. A steep industrial staircase leads to the lower ground floor of Hyatt Place London City East, where the 70-seat restaurant, deli bar and outdoor ‘terrazza’ are a sanctuary from the bustling streets of London. Wall art includes murals from London-based street artists, alongside an exhibition of sustainable art and a new bespoke Sam Kerridge piece.