Jeremy King hints at future of Notting Hill site and admits musings over Bellanger's future

Esteemed restaurateur Jeremy King has teased further details of the group’s plans for Notting Hill as well as admitting he’s been musing a new lease of life for the group’s Bellanger site in Islington.

King revealed that Corbin & King group had taken a site in London’s Notting Hill earlier this year and has now hinted at what could be created in the space, revealing: “The only clue I can give at this stage is that in the back of my mind there still remains a big gap left by the closure of ‘192’ in 2002…”

The lamented 192 was a pioneering neighbourhood wine bar and restaurant that gained a reputation as a celebrity hang-out.

Also lamented has been Corbin & King’s Bellanger restaurant in Islington, which closed its doors in August after King said its critical success “wasn’t matched financially”.

The 200-cover Bellanger had opened in May 2015, serving dishes inspired by the Alsatian roots of the original Parisian brasseries. It was awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand in the same year.

King said support from the local community has been “very gratifying” adding “we have been stunned by the continued lamentation and requests for us to reconsider”.

He goes on to reveal a sale of the site has fallen through and that if it is not snatched up on its return to the market he will “muse as to whether we should have another go”.

Corbin & King – also behind the Wolseley in Mayfair and Colbert in Sloane Square – will next open Manzi’s in Soho. King said ground should be broken on the site this week with an opening date penciled in for Spring 2020.