After more than a century supplying some of the UK’s leading restaurants, Vallebona is introducing a new way to experience its produce in Wimbledon Village: a 12-seat counter for intimate dining, coffee, lunch and candlelit evenings.
Founded in Italy in 1890 and established in the UK since 1997, Vallebona is known as a
specialist importer and supplier to restaurants including Alain Ducasse at The Dorchester, Le Gavroche, The River Café, Bocca di Lupo, Trinity and Petersham Nurseries.
This new format brings that same level of produce directly to guests, offering a closer view of the preparation and a more immediate connection to the food.
Created in collaboration with Sherliker Design, long-time creative partners to Valle Ona since 2000, the refreshed interior integrates deli, retail and wine bar within a compact footprint.
The 12-seat bar faces the preparation area, allowing guests to watch the team
work with the ingredients that define the business. In the evenings, the atmosphere shifts to candlelight, with a stronger emphasis on wine and longer, more relaxed meals.
The menu draws on Stefano’s Sardinian heritage alongside ingredient-led Japanese
influences from his wife, Naoko. Rather than a fixed tasting format, it features a selection of favourite dishes from across the store, prepared using the same cheeses, charcuterie and specialist imports supplied to its wholesale and restaurant clients.
Highlights include a Kombu Risotto made with rare kombu sourced from Japan; Gyoza stuffed with sheep’s ricotta and lemon zest, served with truffle soy; Porchetta with miso made using yellow miso from Gifu Prefecture; and Naoko’s Karaage Chicken, marinated in Japanese soy and fried in
the traditional style. An Italian cheese and charcuterie selection changes daily,
accompanied by artisan breads and condiments including seaweed chutney and truffle
honey.
Cocktails include a Berto Negroni from Turin, premixed and barrel-aged in Italy, alongside
an Aperitivo Spritz Berto. The wine list spans hundreds of bottles from small producers,
ranging from the Dolomites to the slopes of Etna. With a strong focus on Brunello, Barolo
and lesser-known Italian grape varieties, Vallebona applies a flat £20 margin to shelf price,
allowing guests to drink wines typically found in leading restaurants at a significantly lower
cost.
The counter is bookable, with space also reserved for walk-ins.
