Former Providores chef to head up London pub
Karl Calvert, formerly head chef of Peter Gordon's the Providores, is to take charge of the kitchen at the Clifton pub in St John's Wood, London.
The 65-cover pub is the newest venture by brothers Ben and Ed Robson who previously ran the Horseshoe in Hampstead and Boopshi's in Fitzrovia. It will open in May 2017.
The Clifton has stood empty since its unexpected closure in 2013.
The brothers appointed Calvert to bring punchy flavours into the casual setting. The chef describes his cooking as eclectic and his dishes will feature cuts of meat such as Ox heart, mutton and pork neck.
The menu will be split into two sections: Drinking House and Eating House. Drinking House will feature smaller plates which are suited to those who want to have a drink while the latter is a full all-day menu.
Dishes include haggis sausage roll, famous grouse ketchup (Drinking House); mutton rendang croquettes, banana raita, lime pickle, curry leaves (Drinking House); roast cod, arrocina beans, fennel, sea vegetables, saffron, aioli (Eating House); and sweet corn jalapeno fritters, chipotle onion jam, avocado, rocket (Brunch).
The beer menu will feature an array of local and craft beers on tap and Ben and Ed plan to brew their own Clifton beer. This wine will be produced by the brothers and in collaboration with wine sommelier and expert on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch Raul Diaz.
The interior will be designed by Red Deer (Bourne & Hollingsworth Buildings and No. 197 Chiswick Fire Station) and will retain original features such as fireplaces and wood panelling.