Maria is about discovering Italy in all its richness. A journey through the country’s regions, traditions and recipes, celebrating the extraordinary diversity that makes Italian cooking so special.
There is no single Italian cuisine.
From the mountains of the north to the Mediterranean shores of the south, every region has its own ingredients, techniques and culinary identity. Recipes and traditions can change from one town to the next, shaped by the landscape, the seasons and generations of local knowledge.
At Maria, we want to explore this diversity. Our menu will travel across Italy, bringing together familiar classics and lesser-known regional dishes, always with a respect for tradition, simplicity and exceptional ingredients. Rather than being tied to one particular region, Maria gives us the freedom to move through the country: to tell different stories, discover different flavours and celebrate the depth of Italian cooking.
The cellar
Wine is an equally important part of Maria. Italy sits at the heart of the cellar, with a collection that travels from the great, established regions and producers to smaller growers and bottles that deserve to be discovered. But our curiosity does not stop at the Italian border. The list also reaches into France, the United States and the wider wine world, bringing together wines we love and believe belong on the table at Maria.
A neighbourhood table
Our home in East Sheen feels particularly suited to what we want Maria to become. We want to create a true neighbourhood restaurant: intimate, welcoming and exclusive, but also a destination in its own right. A place for a spontaneous midweek dinner, a long lunch with friends, a special evening, or simply a beautiful bottle of wine and something good to eat.
At its heart, Maria is about the pleasure of the table. Good food, thoughtful wine, warm hospitality and the simple joy of spending time together.
A little corner of Italy in East Sheen, with its doors, and its cellar, open to the wider world.