Brava Hospitality Group is partnering with chef and author Gennaro Contaldo to open a new Italian restaurant, BOLO, in Soho this autumn.
The 32-cover restaurant will be located close to Brava’s Prezzo Italian on Glasshouse Street and will take inspiration from a traditional Italian trattoria.
BOLO will serve a concise menu of Italian dishes centred around freshly made pasta, seasonal starters and recipes influenced by Contaldo’s upbringing on the Amalfi Coast.
Dishes are expected to include Bolognese ragù, lemon tagliolini and seafood pasta, while the drinks offer will follow a one-wine-per-colour approach.
The restaurant takes its name from Contaldo’s Bolognese recipe and marks his return to operating a restaurant in central London following his former Fitzrovia restaurant, Passione.
It is also the first partnership between Contaldo and Brava Hospitality Group, which operates Prezzo Italian and Jamie’s Italian in the UK.
Contaldo said: “I’m so excited to be opening up a restaurant in central London again. It’s going to be a small, busy, buzzy trattoria serving some of my favourite dishes.
“From a hearty Bolognese ragu to Amalfi Coast-inspired dishes of my home like lemon tagliolini and seafood pasta. I can’t wait to feed you all and welcome you to my new home BOLO!”
James Brown, CEO of Brava Hospitality Group, said: “Like millions of people, we’ve been inspired by Gennaro’s infectious enthusiasm, extraordinary talent and genuine passion for Italian cooking.
“He’s spent decades sharing not just incredible food, but the warmth, generosity and joy that sit at the heart of Italian hospitality. Creating a restaurant together felt like a natural next step, and there couldn’t be a better home for Bolo than the heart of Soho.
“The success of Jamie’s Italian has shown what’s possible when exceptional hospitality is combined with incredible food and a truly iconic partner. BOLO by Gennaro is the natural next chapter in that journey.
“As we continue to grow Brava Hospitality Group, our ambition remains the same: to build a portfolio of exceptional restaurant brands while preserving the unique character that makes each one special.
“BOLO by Gennaro is another exciting milestone, and one we’re incredibly proud to bring to London.”
Ed Loftus, Director of Restaurants at Jamie Oliver Restaurant Group, added: “The launch of BOLO is a deeply personal project for all of us. Gennaro has been part of the Jamie Oliver restaurant family since the very beginning, and over the years he has given so much to the business – not only through his incredible talent and passion for food, but through the friendship, generosity and values he brings every day.
“To be able to partner with Gennaro and Brava, to bring his dream of a humble restaurant in the heart of Soho to life, is a genuine privilege.
“BOLO will serve what we believe will be the finest ragù and Bolognese dishes in London, alongside a selection of delicious antipasti, with every recipe rooted in Gennaro’s heritage and lifelong passion for authentic Italian cooking.
“Gennaro has been a true pioneer of Italian cuisine in the UK, inspiring generations through his restaurants, television work and cookbooks. Seeing him finally bring a restaurant that is so personal to him to one of London’s most iconic neighbourhoods is incredibly special, and we’re proud to help make that vision a reality.”
BOLO is scheduled to open in Soho in autumn 2026.