Babbo, the former Mayfair Italian restaurant with footballing connections, completes its transfer to St John’s Wood next week, while its fellow glossy Italian Bocconcino opens a seafood spinoff in the Strand called Osteria del Mare (pictured).

Launching on Monday, Osteria del Mare takes inspiration from the Tuscan coastal resort of Forte dei Marmi, with ex-Barrafina chef Matteo Massafra presiding over a menu which showcases Italian specialities bottarga and red prawns alongside lobster, turbot and caviar.

Bocconcino opened in Berkeley Street 10 years ago and is noted for its glamorous interior and upmarket pizzas. Founder Michael Gokhner launched the original branch in Moscow in 2006, and followed up with a second London outing in Soho last year.

Babbo is owned by leading football agent Kia Joorabchian. Originally in Albermarle Street, where Christiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand and the entire Chelsea first team squad were among guests, it closed two years ago following a dispute with landlord Howard Raymond (son of Paul).

Babbo has taken over the former premises of kosher deli Harry Morgan’s, an institution on the High Street since 1948, which closed down during the covid pandemic. Also opening on Monday, it is the second established restaurant to target St John’s Wood in recent months, following Motcombs of Belgravia.

Amendment

This article originally named as co-owners London-based Brazil internationals David Luiz (Chelsea and Arsenal) and Willian (Chelsea, Arsenal and Fulham). But they are no longer involved.