Opening in Kensal Rise, North West London on 9 December 2016, Messapica, named after a beguiling historic town Ceglie Messapica in Puglia, will be a vibrant all-day café, deli, bombetteria and juice bar, championing fresh, quality ingredients. Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Messapica will offer a simple yet flavoursome selection of dishes, available to eat in or takeaway.
The menu will showcase artisan produce, also available for retail, and include homemade pastries; hearty hot and cold salads; comfort food staples such as lasagne, pizza by the slice; and street-food snacks prepared on the Italian charcoal grill.
Fired up from 6pm every evening, the grill will be one of the highlights of the multi-faceted space and used to prepare La Bombette Pugliese. Classic Bombetta with fresh Capocollo of Puglian pork, thinly sliced, seasoned and wrapped around provolone cheese, skewered and roasted over charcoal, will transport guests to roaring coal fires on the cobbled streets of Puglia. Other signatures like the Bombetta Panino with spicy mayo and rocket will also be made to order, along with succulent cuts of steak, homemade pork and fennel sausages and seafood specials including grilled octopus with cracked wheat, polignano carrot and salted ricotta.
Accommodating up to thirty diners, Messapica will radiate a residential warmth with an industrial feel. The front counter and tables, made of Italian carrara marble, brings a touch of Puglia to Kensal Rise, while restored chairs and lighting, sourced from Newark antique fair, adds that contemporary London edge. A visible charcoal grill, imported from a butcher in the town of Ceglie Messapica, will be sure to infuse the café with authentic chargrilled aromas, tantalising all sorts of senses for diners.
Located on Chamberlayne Road, Messapica is North-London based restaurant and pub operator, the Masseria Group’s second venture this year following the opening of cucina Pugliese, Ostuni, in Highgate (Summer 2016). Founded by Managing Director, Rob Claassen, the group’s growing portfolio of characterful establishments include a variety of concepts, from delicatessen, gastropubs and specialist wine store, to pizzerias and regional Italian restaurants: The Salusbury Pub (1999), The Chamberlayne (2007), The Salusbury Winestore (2010), The Salusbury Foodstore (2002), Ostuni Queen’s Park (2013), Ostuni Highgate (2016) and Irving Foodstore, soon to launch in near Covent Garden (January 2017).
Messapica is located at 109 Chamberlayne Road NW10 3NS and will be open 8am to 11pm daily with breakfast being served until 12pm on weekdays and 2pm on weekends. The grill will be fired up from 6pm every evening for dinner offerings.