It’s no small thing for a restaurant to remain open for 10 years these days – but Luca in Clerkenwell has just hit a decade. Since its launch, Robert Chambers has led the kitchen, bringing his love of Italian food (instilled in him by his grandparents, who raised him) to the plate. In 2023 he scored the restaurant a Michelin star, but despite the accolades he’s not slacking off. “We have remained committed to our core beliefs to continually challenge ourselves, return each week determined to be better than the week before, and never stand still in our pursuit of excellence,” he tells Broadsheet. “After 10 years … our ambition remains the same – to keep learning, keep evolving and keep pushing ourselves to be better.”
To mark the 10th anniversary of Luca, Chambers and his team are serving a special menu until September 5, which includes some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes as well as newer favourites, “showing the evolution of the restaurant over the last 10 years”. On the menu? Cornish lobster taglierini, parmesan fries and caramelised lemon tart.
Below, Chambers tells Broadsheet his favourite spots around London – from the bakery he has a soft spot for to a caff that reminds him of his childhood, and where he takes friends from out of town.
Hi Robert! What’s most exciting you about London’s restaurant and dining scene at the moment?
London is a city that is constantly evolving, and our food culture is no exception – it’s never standing still and it’s fascinating to watch it grow in ambition, creativity and diversity as chefs and restaurateurs from across the world bring new ideas, perspectives and techniques to the city. There is a constant exchange of ideas, a willingness to embrace new influences and an appetite to keep pushing boundaries. For chefs, it creates an incredibly inspiring environment – there is always something new to discover, learn from and be challenged by.
Aside from Luca, where do you head for Italian cooking in London?
It’s amazing to see how Italian cooking – and restaurants – have changed in London over the last 10 years. There are brilliant Italian restaurants opening all across London and it’s always really interesting to see how different chefs interpret Italian cuisine. Of the newer openings, I’ve heard great things about Tiella in Hackney and would also love to try Adam Byatt’s new place, Rosina.
Which restaurants near Luca do you love?
We’re lucky enough to have amazing restaurants in Clerkenwell and Farringdon, so are spoilt for choice. Some of my favourites include our friends Sessions Arts Club, who we collaborated with in August as part of their Terrace Sessions. Jonny [Gent, founder], along with his head chef Fenella [Brereton], have created something really special. I can’t not mention Bouchon Racine, which we are incredibly lucky to have so nearby, as well as Quality Wines.
What’s your pick for a takeaway?
I rarely order a takeaway, which is probably due to my upbringing – I was raised by my grandparents and home-cooked food was a big part of my childhood. Meals were prepared with care, using good ingredients, and there was a real appreciation for food being cooked and served properly. If I am having a takeaway I tend to gravitate towards sushi, or a really good bakery or deli to avoid anything arriving at the temperature it wasn’t intended to be enjoyed at.
What’s your top pick for a good snack?
This is probably cheating but my perfect snack is from a really excellent bakery. I have a real soft spot for Toad – I think what they are doing is amazing and the combination of quality and creativity in their baked goods is hard to beat. I’m incredibly excited to visit their new place in Deptford.
Where do you take out-of-towners?
I love the art of sharing food with friends – having a selection of dishes in the middle of the table, talking about what you’re eating and sharing opinions as you go. Berenjak is somewhere which is great for this: the atmosphere and the room are great, but most importantly, the food consistently hits the spot.
If I wanted to show friends somewhere incredibly special, I’d take them down to Osip in Bruton. I think it encapsulates the British dining scene at the moment incredibly well – what Merlin Labron-Johnson and the team are creating down there is absolutely worth the journey.
What’s a hidden gem more Londoners should know about?
Scotti’s Snack Bar is just around the corner from us at Luca and transports me right back to the Little Italy I grew up going to with my family. It does a small selection of classic dishes, some more Italian-inspired than others! It’s an institution and somewhere I hope continues to exist in Clerkenwell for many years to come.
What’s your bucket list restaurant?
I’m lucky enough to have ticked off a lot of bucket list restaurants including Benu [San Francisco], which was one of the best meals I’ve had. However, I’ve always wanted to visit Japan – there are so many incredible restaurants there I’d like to visit but I’d also love to spend time travelling around the country, visiting different food markets, meeting producers and learning more about local ingredients.
