Latest openings: Crockers Henley, Flora at Joy, Mercure Bournemouth Queens hotel and more

 

Crockers Henley

Crockers Henley, a sister dining destination to Crockers Tring from former chef and chief executive Luke Garnsworthy, has opened in a Grade II-listed building in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Like its sister restaurant, Crockers Henley has two 16-cover chef’s tables, a bar and grill, and seven bedrooms.

 

The Thames Table is overseen by 2017 Acorn Award-winner Dean Westcar and serves a seasonal, modern British tasting menu. The Gardiner Table, led by Iain Dixon, formerly head chef at Foxhill Manor, serves a pan-Asian tasting menu. Both offer a seven-course lunch (£45) and 12-course dinner (from £90).

 

The Grill offers all-day dining and weekend brunch and is led by Tom Westerland, 2018 National Chef of Wales, with a menu that includes steak and seafood roasted over a charcoal grill. The bar, overseen by head mixologist Ryan Osnowski, serves classic and contemporary cocktails and a regularly changing wine list by head of wine Gemma Aldridge.

 

The Quarters accommodation reflects the Georgian heritage of the building, with super king size beds and roll-top baths.

 

Opened 1 August

 

Bedrooms Seven

 

Design Ali Hearn Interiors

 

Starting room rate £370 for two for one night, including dinner at one of the chef’s tables, a three-course breakfast and two glasses of English sparkling wine on arrival

 

Website www.crockershenley.co.uk

 

 

Flora at Joy

 

Stevie Parle’s former Dock Kitchen site at London Portobello Docks has been transformed into Joy, a pop-up space that includes a flower garden, shops, a bar and an alfresco restaurant called Flora, which will run until at least the end of September.

 

Covers 70

 

Typical dishes Clams with butter and peas; red prawns, burned lemon, marjoram; Fosse Meadows chicken stuffed with ricotta and ‘nduja

 

Website www.joyatportobello.co.uk

 

 

Mercure Bournemouth Queens hotel

 

Bournemouth’s Queens hotel has relaunched under Accor’s Mercure brand, with a redesign inspired by the 1920s and art deco period. All bedrooms include velvet furnishings and 50-inch smart TVs. The hotel offers an all-day coffee lounge, the Green Room restaurant serving British cuisine, and spa and leisure facilities.

 

Bedrooms 109

 

Head of operations Karl Goebel

 

Website www.mercure.com

 

 

The Beacon

 

The Roseacre Pub Company has relaunched the Beacon hotel in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, following a joint £500,000 upgrade with Heineken’s Star Pubs & Bars. The pub, which was due to open in April but was delayed by the Covid-19 outbreak, offers a carvery and a fully enclosed beer garden.

 

Covers 110 inside; 200 outside

 

General manager Ian Lowe

 

Operator Roseacre Pub Company

 

Website www.beaconhotelburton.co.uk

 

 

Butchies

 

Fried chicken chain Butchies has opened its latest site in London’s Clapham, a grab-and-go site and delivery kitchen offering an all-day menu of six different fried chicken sandwiches served in butter-toasted buns. The brand is inspired by similar offerings in New York, and started as a street food concept at festivals.

 

Owner Garrett FitzGerald

 

Typical dishes Buttermilk chicken tenders; popcorn chicken; halloumi fries

 

Website www.butchies.co.uk

 

 

The Big Lock

 

The Big Lock in Middlewich has reopened following a £480,000 refurbishment by Prior Inns North West and Star Pubs & Bars. The canalside pub now features a spacious open-plan bar, snug and dining area with floor-to-ceiling glazed sliding doors, while the menu includes classic pub fare and Sunday roasts.

 

Covers 60 inside; 80 outside

 

General manager Rick Brown

 

Operator Priory Inns North West

 

Website www.prioryinns.com