Jason Atherton's Sosharu and Temple and Sons close their doors
Two of Jason Atherton’s London restaurants have shut suddenly. Temple and Sons in the City and the Japanese izakaya-style restaurant and bar Sosharu in Clerkenwell closed their doors in the past week, although Atherton plans to relocate the latter. Atherton will now focus on his ‘Social’ brand including Pollen Street Social and City Social.
James Cochran to open new Islington restaurant next month
James Cochran is opening a new restaurant in Islington. The chef, who recently left the restaurant in the City that bears his name, will open 12:51 on Upper Street, Islington at the end of the month. Focusing on modern British food with Asian influences, dishes on the menu will include Whitstable harbour smoked kipper and leek toastie, and Jerk-spiced monkfish with iceberg lettuce, yogurt, watermelon and coriander.
Ben Hutton to launch American-style grill restaurant in Bury-St-Edmunds
Ben Hutton, the owner of Ben’s, is opening a second site in Bury-St-Edmunds in a former pub on Churchgate Street. Called Queens Bar and Grill, Hutton’s second restaurant will serve American grill-style food and will be a departure from the farm-to-fork fine dining associated with Ben’s. Occupying the site of the old Queen’s Head pub, it aims to be a community space with a large bar and live music.
Benares confirms departure of chef Atul Kochhar
Atul Kochhar has left Mayfair restaurant Benares, where he was chef-patron for several years. He has been replaced by executive chef Brinder Narula, who has been with the company for three years. Kochhar will concentrate on his other restaurants including Sindhu in Marlow. Prior to joining Benares, Narula worked at Gymkhana in London.
Rochelle Canteen at the ICA to host bar takeover from Quo Vadis
Fin Spiteri of Rochelle Canteen at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) is teaming up with some of his favourite bartenders from across London, inviting them to join him behind the bar at the ICA throughout August and September. On September 5, Spiteri will welcome bartenders from Soho restaurant Quo Vadis, where he learnt the tricks of the trade, celebrating the best of British with London-based Whitley Neill gin.
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