The Pem temporarily closes for a 'summer recess'

Sally Abé’s the Pem restaurant at the Conrad London St James hotel has temporarily closed over the summer.

The ‘summer recess’ will be used to install a new kitchen with upgraded equipment to help the team develop the menu with new techniques and ideas.

The restaurant closed last week and will reopen in the autumn with a new offering, which will be revealed closer to the time.

The Pem opened in July 2021 and was Abé’s first major project following her departure from the head chef role at the Harwood Arms, London’s only Michelin-starred pub.

Named after suffragette Emily Wilding Davison, who was nicknamed ‘Pem’ by her close family, the 70-cover restaurant puts a modern twist on dishes inspired by historic British cuisine.

The Pem is recommended in the Michelin Guide Great Britain and Ireland 2023, although it does not hold a star, which praised its dishes as “British in inspiration, contemporary in style and accomplished in technique”.

Abé said: “This will be the kitchen that I’ve always wanted, with the space and tools to bring an uplifted experience for our guests when the restaurant reopens.

“We’re committed to investing in our guest experience so whilst I’m sad to be closing for the summer, I am so excited to reopen with the capacity to go beyond what is already an incredible experience. We’ll be back all guns blazing, so watch this space!”