Oteque Chef to Open London Restaurant

Alberto Landgraf chef of Brazilian restaurant Oteque is planning a restaurant in London.

After breaking into the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list this year at number 47 with his Rio de Janeiro-based restaurant, the chef has announced that he is breaking into the London dining scene with a casual-style restaurant on Vere Street in Central London, due to open in November. The name of the restaurant will be Bossa and it will be led by Oteque's head chef Nilson Chaves.

For Landgraf, a return to London is like a culinary homecoming of sorts, as it was in the British capital that he first found his way into the world of restaurants. After graduating in physics in the early 2000s, he came to London to learn English. He had no plans for a culinary career then, but like many, started working in hospitality to enable his stay in the city. After working with Tom Aikens and Gordon Ramsay, among others, he returned to Brazil in 2006 to open his first restaurant. Epice was launched in Sao Paulo in 2008.

_{Pickled Sardine, Raw Foie Gras, Brioche - @Rodrigo Azevedo}

In February 2018, Landgraf relocated to Rio de Janeiro and opened Oteque, focusing on his Japanese heritage, not through ingredients, but through simplicity, precise technique and high ethics. Oteque is currently in receipt of worldwide attention and accolades, and his London restaurant is sure to attract attention.

"I am really happy that my first international project is going to happen in London,” said Landgraf. “It is very emotional for me as I started my career twenty-two years ago in this city. When returning to Brazil six years later, I never thought I would come back where everything started to open my own restaurant. It seems like a wild dream to bring Brazil not only to London but to Europe. I want to make it really special, so I will bring to the city the best part of my Oteque team."

“As you can imagine, it will not be a traditional place, but it will also not be the second Oteque. We will pamper you with contemporary Brazilian food and a very strong wine and cocktail list in a fun, relaxed, warm atmosphere and I really hope you will enjoy it.”