How do you capture the feeling of home when designing a new interior? This was at the forefront of Naples native Gennaro Leone’s mind when setting up Dalla, a new neighbourhood Italian restaurant in Hackney in London which opened its doors last autumn. Having founded Spazio Leone a few years before, a London-based furniture showroom with a focus on one-off pieces and design classics with an Italian bent, Gennaro wanted to create a space that brings together all the things he loves the most, namely beautiful objects, authentic Italian cooking, and good friends. Guided by his conviction that Italian food goes hand-in-hand with a family-style setting, he created a cozy environment that is at once intimate, inviting, and delightfully unexpected, thanks to an eclectic curation of bespoke details, vintage design pieces and personal finds sourced in collaboration with Sicilian designer Oscar Piccolo. Featuring a seasonal menu by chef Mitchell Damota, a passionate maestro of Italian cooking with an archivist's obsession for reviving forgotten recipes, Dalla strikes a fine balance between homey warmth and timeless elegance.

Handcrafted elements abound, from the hand-hammered sign hanging outside on Morning Lane, to the unique wall lights and custom-made menu holders, all crafted in Naples expressly for Dalla. Custom-made pedestal tables topped with crisp white tablecloth are paired with lacquered tubular chairs with white leather padding, originally designed in 1928 by French modernist architect Robert Mallet Stevens, in tune with the restaurant’s muted palette of white, beige, and natural wood finishes. A touch of stately elegance hangs overhead in the form of a rare Stilnovo light pendant, acquired from a Milanese palazzo years ago.

Adding to the charm, a prototype coffee maker designed by Riccardo Dalisi in collaboration with Alessi, commemorating a century of craftsmanship, holds court in one corner. Meanwhile, a captivating Piero Fornasetti painting from the 1930s presides over the scene, lending a timeless allure. Delightful surprises await at every turn, from the elegant Caccia Dominioni brass door handles to the vintage brass mirror in the bathroom, attributed to the Italian legend Gio Ponti.

The décor’s artful blend of heart-warming familiarity and unexpected delight is also reflected in the restaurant’s cuisine which offers a mix of familiar favourites and intriguing new dishes, based on chef Mitchell Damota's extensive research into Italian culinary traditions passed down through generations. Crafted by Damota alongside chef Gianmarco Leone (Gennaro’s older brother), Dalla’s humble menu draws inspiration from regional dishes across Italy whilst reflecting the changing of the seasons. Whereas winter brings hearty, Northern-influenced dishes, perfect for pairing with bold red wines in the cozy, low-lit space, during the summer months the menu highlights fresh vegetables and seafood, ideal for leisurely late-afternoon lunches. No matter the time of year however, dining experience at Dalla ultimately comes down to one thing: experiencing the simple pleasures of Italian food.