This week has seen a number of restaurants release planned reopening dates, the first Michelin-starred restaurant in the British Isles reopen, and wine members club and bar Trade announce it will relaunch in a new guise.
Wine members club and bar re-launches: Soho-based Trade is due to relaunch under a new name, and will welcome members of the public. Founders Xavier Rousset and Gearoid Davaney will relaunch ‘Trade’ as an app, billed as a networking and information hub for hospitality professionals. The actual bar, however, will be renamed The Black Book and is set to reopen in September. Offering a diverse selection of wines, including many by the Coravin, the bar will be open to the public for the first time.
First Michelin-starred restaurant in Britain to reopen: As many restaurants in mainland Britain announce reopening dates, Bohemia on the island of Jersey will be become the first Michelin-starred venue in Britain to open its doors on 20 June. Jersey has allowed outdoor dining since May, with restaurants now allowed to reopen, albeit with special health and safety measures in place.
Scottish government pushes back restaurant reopening confirmation: The Scottish government has confirmed that it intends to allow hospitality businesses to reopen from the middle of next month, but has pushed back the announcement of the exact date until 2 July “at the earliest”. 15 July had previously been touted as a possible date, however Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said more time is need to examine “emerging evidence” that restaurants and pubs are “hotspots for transmission”.
Restaurant re-openings:
Moor Hall: Lancashire’s Moor Hall and The Barn at Moor Hall are to reopen next month. Chef Mark Birchall has revealed two Michelin-starred Moor Hall will reopen on 22 July, while casual dining concept The Barn will open earlier on 7 July.
Le Gavroche: Mayfair French favourite Le Gavroche is also planning to reopen in July. Chef Michel Roux Jr. tweeted that bookings were being taken from 7 July.
Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons: Raymond Blanc’s Manoir aux Quat’Saisons has announced it is preparing to reopen on 14 July.
Core: Big Hospitality reports that Clare Smyth’s Core in Notting Hill is planning to reopen from 4 July. She told the publication that the social distancing measures would reduce the number of covers in her two Michelin-starred eatery from 52 to 36.
D&D restaurants: Restaurant operator D&D has announced it will open 17 of its sites on 4 July, 13 of which are in London. The group hopes to reopen its other restaurants in the subsequent months.
New takeaway and delivery options:
Dishoom: Bombay-inspired dining chain Dishoom has launched an at-home cookery kit, allowing customers to recreate its bacon naan rolls at home. The kit also includes tea and spices to make masala chai.
Brigadiers: JKS group-owned Brigadiers in the Bloomberg arcade will transform into the Brigadiers Daru Shop. Taking inspiration from Indian roadside shops, it will serve takeaway food and drink through a hatch. Choose from a list that includes draught beer and ‘naanza’ – a naan/pizza hybrid.
Frenchie: London’s Frenchie is now offering a takeaway service that includes a specially crafted three-course menu (regular and vegetarian), as well as drinks and boxes of bacon scones.
Lina Stores: Italian specialist Lina Stores has announced it will be reopening of its Soho and King’s Cross delis, as well as rolling out nationwide delivery of its products including pasta, meats, cheeses and homeware.
Black Swan Oldstead: Tommy Banks’ Black Swan in Oldstead has launched a delivery service, with boxes including two 3-course meals, with each meal serving two people. Customers have the option to add wine, bottled cocktails and collab beers to their order.
Closures:
Sardine: Alex Jackson and Stevie Parle’s Sardine in London’s Hoxton will not open after lockdown, it has been announced. The statement said that “despite government support and an understand landlord, we are unable to see a path to reopening”. Sardine would have celebrated its fourth anniversary on 5 July.
