Forno: Ombra chef Mitshel Ibrahim announces new bakery, pastificio and deli

The chef behind long-standing Hackney favourite Ombra is set to open a new all-day deli, bakery and pasta shop close by his original restaurant.

Mitshel Ibrahim will open Forno early next year, in January; it will sit a few minutes walk across from the popular Italian Ombra, which itself has been canal-side for some eleven years.

Initially opening as an all day — but not nighttime — operation, Forno will offer filled pasta dishes, fresh sauces, cold cuts, Italian cheeses, freshly baked breads and a selection of wines, all available for takeaway. That said, both breakfast and lunch will be served across a small number of tables; there will be 10 seats inside and 20 al fresco.

Breakfasts will include cornetti, maritozzi and sfogliatelle — all small Italian breads and pastries — while lunch will mostly revolve around sandwiches made with foccaccia, and soups. Later in the year, Ibrahim plans to open now-and-then during the evening, serving pizza, pasta and pouring out Negronis and wine.

As part of the launch, Ibrahim is looking to raise up to £60,000 using Kickstarter. Those who contribute will get various rewards, including a limited edition white Bigoli T-shirt, or an invite to a bottomless pizza night. Others will be able to have a pizza named after them for a month.

While details are presently scarce, more is expected to follow later this year, while the deli’s Instagram account will share details of the evening events in particular.

Forno will open in January 2023 at 332 Andrews Road, E8, with initial opening hours of 8am—4pm. For more information, visit forno.london or follow @forno.london