An innovative new Italian restaurant has been granted an alcohol licence, and one of the owners sought to reassure residents it is “definitely not a bar”.
Bombetta London, in Station Approach, Wanstead, was awarded the premises licence at a sub-committee hearing yesterday, with some conditions still being finalised.
The upmarket eatery is part deli, and part restaurant, using rare Italian meats and cheeses from co-owner Ben Milne’s other food supply business.
Mr Milne, 39, of Buckhurst Hill, explained: “It’s an amazing facility to make use of. If I am selling some Wild Boar speck to a Ottolenghi or Soho House I will keep a small amount for the deli.
“They’re amazing products which I’ve spent many years searching for in Italy.”
Mr Milne said he understood councillors’ and residents’ concerns over possible drunkenness, but they may have “slightly misunderstood” the nature of the establishment.
The three Conservative Snaresbrook ward councillors wrote to the sub-committee expressing their concern customers drinking outside could be endangered by the road.
Mr Milne explained one of the licence’s conditions was to fence off the outdoor area.
“I can understand people walking past might look inside and think it’s a bar, but actually what they’re looking at is the chef’s table – the best seats in the house,” he said.
The co-owner added he was “delighted” to get the licence to serve some “amazing and unusual” Italian wines.
The deli is already open serving coffee and croissants, and restaurant will open on August 10.
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