Steve Haslam, a local businessman and owner of The White Horse pub on Heath Road, has invested £40,000 to transform a former South American eatery into what he hopes will become “the number one Italian restaurant in Essex.” The new restaurant, Urban Italia, replaces Urban Fresh, which previously offered a South American-themed menu. After a complete revamp, Haslam and his team have switched focus to Italian cuisine, serving up a full menu that includes fresh pasta, pizza, and even a few familiar pub classics.
Urban Italia had a soft launch this week, giving diners a sneak peek of what’s to come, before the official grand opening today. Mr Haslam said: “We are really excited by this. “Before, we had Urban Fresh with a South American theme, but we wanted to do something different, a bit lighter, fresher, and hearty.
“We happened to have three guys that worked and spent a lot of time in Italy, and a chef that is Italian-trained, so we went with Urban Italia.” The restaurant's ambiance adds to its appeal, with graffiti-adorned walls inspired by the street art found in major Italian cities, creating what Haslam describes as “a very cool vibe.” Haslam has plans to incorporate a hint of Italian flair into the menu at The White Horse pub as well.
Although the pub will maintain its own menu, there will be a few Italian-inspired additions, while Urban Italia offers a complete dining experience with table service and a robust Italian menu. For those who can’t decide.