Sommelier-Selected Wines of Piedmont and Lombardy Paired with Chef’s Tasting Menu at Motorino

Motorino arrives in Fitzrovia with a sense of momentum and polish. Set just off Goodge Street, the room immediately signals its intent: a neo-mid-century space alive with bright colour, glossy surfaces, and playful nods to the 1960s and 70s British motoring culture. Model cars, glitzy cladding, and sculptural furniture sit beneath a hum of energy, while the open kitchen anchors the far end of the dining room, drawing the eye and reinforcing the sense that everything here revolves around craft in motion.

Under the direction of Michelin-starred Chef Luke Ahearne, the cooking respects classical Italian structure while confidently stepping sideways from tradition. For this five-course Chef’s tasting menu, the snacks lead into starters, primi flow naturally into mains; the dishes are bold but uncluttered, built around a small number of exceptional ingredients, allowing technique and seasoning to do the heavy lifting. 

At the centre of the experience is a curated pairing focused on the native grape varieties of Piedmont and Lombardy—the spiritual home of grapes such as Nebbiolo, Timorasso, Cortese, and Nascetta. Drawn from landscapes that stretch from the rolling hills of Piedmont to the dramatic, lake-lined terrain of Como and Garda, the wines reflect a region whose viticultural history has captivated everyone from Pliny the Elder to modern wine critics.

Rather than leaning on headline names, the wine journey highlights indigenous varieties and thoughtful producers whose bottles express place, altitude, and tradition with clarity and freshness.