Scott Hallsworth finds permanent home for Freak Scene pop-up

Kurobuta founder and former Nobu head chef Scott Hallsworth has found a permanent home for his Australasian-inspired oriental pop-up Freak Scene, in London's Soho.

Freak Scene is due to open 54 Frith Street next week on the site of what was previously Adam Simmonds' Test Kitchen and Barrafina prior to that.

The original Freak Scene pop-up opened in Farringdon in July 2017 and was planned to run until October but had its short term rental extended.

Hallsworth and business partner Phar Shaweewan launched a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter to try and take the venue permanent, and despite the fact that the campaign did not reach its £22,000 goal by 1 January this year (instead seeing £6,381 pledged), the plan is still going ahead.

Offering a grazing menu, the restaurant produces dishes such as tuna sashimi pizza with truffle ponzu, honey-hoisin grilled pork belly, and miso-grilled back cod tacos with scorched red chilli salsa.

The restaurant will feature an open kitchen with a bar, and diners will also be able to eat at a ledge running around the edge of the venue.

Hallsworth said: "I'm thrilled that we've found a permanent home for Freak Scene, and I think Soho is the perfect spot for us.

"We can't wait to fire up the grills and introduce our take on Japanese small plates to a whole new part of London."

Scott Hallsworth launches crowdfunding campaign for Freak Scene permanent site >>

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