Kettner’s team jump ship for Egham

The team behind London restaurant Kettner’s have opened a restaurant in Egham, Surrey.

Called Hugo’s, the high street venture launched at the beginning of the month, taking its inspiration from a popular 1950s West End Italian restaurant of the same name.

Owner Leo Alexander oversaw the 2002 relaunch of Kettner’s and is joined at Hugo’s by former Kettner’s Champagne bar sommelier Ray Ronchetti.

Open for breakfast through to evening cocktails, the Mediterranean-influenced menu includes dishes such as venison sausages, raviolini with porcini and gratinato of scallops. There is also a daily specials board, dubbed “Hugo’s Choice”.

Ronchetti has compiled a wine list with a focus on small European growers and supporting “environmentally friendly” producers, many of whom are organic or biodynamic. The majority of bottles come in below the £25 mark, with many priced below £20.

In addition to Champagne list regular Laurent Perrier, Ronchetti has selected smaller names, such as house pour Jean Paul Deville Carte Noir, a Pinot Noir dominated cuvée, and biodynamic Champagne Mailly Brut Nature.

The cocktail list keeps to the restaurant’s Italian roots, with a range of Bellinis, which includes the classic peach-based option in addition to creative twists such as The Milanese, incorporating Campari and orange juice.