A new modern Italian restaurant and bar, Canto Corvino, has opened in the heart of Spitafields. Located on Artillery Lane, Canto Corvino means ‘song of the raven’, a reference to the road’s former name, Raven’s Row. Award-winning design studio, B3 Designers (Sackvilles, Gymkhana and Bubbledogs), have created the branding and interiors drawing on the warehouse aesthetic and trading heritage of the Spitalfields area with Italian craftmanship. Canto Corvino is the third opening from the team behind the successful Manicomio restaurants.

The main dinning area of the restaurant features a commanding theatrical kitchen with cut stone tiles to create a bold triangular pattern to the front, allowing diners to view the chefs at work in the kitchen. The dining space is dressed with stained oak tables tops with brushed brass trims and base and a banquette with a unique and elegant cross-stitch pattern to the rear of the area. Quaint doll chairs are used throughout the space with leather upholstery in a burnt orange and tan colour. The walls adjacent to the seating booths in the restaurant have been adorned with white metro tiles that were cracked at random to give a degree of authenticity to the post occupancy factory aesthetic. This is married with the blackened steel framing that houses the antique mirror frames set to factory window dimensions, the effect of which reflects light pouring in through the shop front, giving the restaurant a lightness despite its heavy finishes.

The central bar is rich with the fabric industrial factory theme with its machine-like blackened steel over the bar that houses both wine bottles and glasses. The bar frontage is made of reclaimed distressed timber with false draw frontages – this pays homage to the vast oak cabinets in old factories where threads, needles and other trinkets would have been kept. The flooring in the bar area is an arrangement of cross-sawn dark oak boarding juxtaposed against a square mosaic tile pattern surrounding the bar. Elegant, steel and elm barstools dress the bar and the light elm top of the seats injects some energy in contrast to the surrounding dark finishes. The screen enveloping the staircase down to the Cellar and Private Dining Room is a striking feature marrying the ground floor and the basement. The blackened steel frame creates a skeleton while the decorative mottled glass sits between panels of toughened glass in a glittering pattern. A teardrop pendant cluster hangs above the stairwell adding the finishing touches to this striking feature. A wine cellar runs the length of the wall in the Private Dining Room, with large heavy looking steel doors, which also features seating for 24 on custom-built tables.

B3 Designers have created a casual yet elegant and authentic overall style. Strong references to Spitafields’ trading heritage and Italian craftsmanship are prevalent in the branding and interiors of Canto Corvino. B3 Designers have utilised existing rough brickwork and steel columns have been left in their fire proofing to give a real stripped back look. In addition the old drainage pipes have been left in place as a skeletal reminder of the buildings former self. Spitafields is an established trading neighbourhood since 1638 and the warehouse look and feel reflect that industrial era. “The crafting details are a tribute to the intricate Italian craftsmanship – making of silk and fabrics – the design evoking a timeless yet understated luxury.” says Mark Bithrey, Design Director at B3 Designers.

Head Chef Tom Salt, has devised an a la carte menu featuring seven distinct sections prepared in the ‘theatrical kitchen’. Highlights include Stuzzichini (Sicilian red prawn, chilli & tomato arancini and Saltmarsh lamb ribs); Crudo (raw plates including Black bream ceviche, tomato, lime & tropea onions and Beef carpaccio) and Al Forno (Hake, Lardo, Castelluccio lentils & rosemary and Short rib Rossini, autumn truffles & leeks). The stunning Canto Bar is sure to become a destination in its own right. Junior Donadi, Canto’s Head Barman and formerly at The Sanderson Hotel and The Collection, has devised a superior collection which includes the likes of Romeo (Gin, elderflower, lime juice, fresh kiwi, cucumber and apple juice), Giulietta, (Vanilla vodka, passion fruit puree, fresh mint, vanilla sugar and apple juice) or, from the list of gin and tonics, Pompelmo (Tanqueray infused with fresh ginger, tonic water, orange peel and pink grapefruit).