The Big Mamma Group are making waves in London once again, and this time, they're heading east. Their sixth London restaurant, Barbarella, is set to open in Canary Wharf this June, bringing their signature flamboyant decor, tasty Italian dishes, and plenty of Big Mamma flair to the swish YY Building.
If you've eaten your way through their existing London spots, from the snazzy Jacuzzi in Kensington to the chic Carlotta in Marylebone, you'll know Big Mamma doesn't do things by halves. It's been nearly two years since their last new opening in the capital, so the arrival of Barbarella feels like it's been a long time coming.
Barbarella is inspired by the golden age of 1970s Roman cinema and is all about glitz and glamour. You'll be greeted at a mirrored reception desk before stepping into what Big Mamma calls "the tropical jungle of Barbarella", decked out with silk, glitter, a retro-chandelier, a chrome upstairs lounge, and a glossy open kitchen.
Chef Marco Rastelli is at the heart of it all – he's firing up a bronze pizza oven to serve up proper Ruota di Caretto pies and metre-long spaghettone - so Big Mama. The menu is a love letter to Rastelli's hometown. Think thin, daily-changing pizzas; caramelised tomato tatin with Parmigiano cream; fresh pasta; Cornish lemon sole for sharing; and Phillip Warren steaks. Finish things off with a scoop of gelato and a glass from their sprawling wine list. Oh, and there will also be pistachio espresso martinis.
Barbarella opens in June 2025 at the YY Building in Canary Wharf.