A new southern Mediterranean-inflenced bistro featuring an open kitchen with cooking over wood fire launches in Marylebone this Saturday (16 March).

Lita is headed by Luke Ahearne, ex-head chef at Corrigan’s in Mayfair, and Canadian-born first-time restaurateur Daniel Koukarskikh (left and right in picture), with backing from the duo behind Wild Tavern in Chelsea and Burger & Lobster, George Bukhov and Ilya Demichev.

Taking over a former Carluccio’s on Paddington Street with a pavement terrace at the front, the venue boasts a grill said to be “reminiscent of a grand chateau kitchen” which will be a focal point where the chefs are encouraged to interact with diners. “Lita” is a diminutive deriving from “abuelita”, Spanish for granny – an indication of the relaxed family dining atmosphere Luke and Daniel want to create.

Luke hails from Clonmel in Ireland, where he ran the family’s cafe before training in top Irish kitchens and working his way via Clove Club and Luca to Corrigans.

For Lita he is sourcing high-quality ingredients from Britain, Ireland and Europe. The drinks list balances established European wine producers with biodynamic wines from smaller operations.