Updated 29/8/19 with menu, chef and opening date details
What: Bank House Wine Bar and Kitchen
In a nutshell: Stuart Gillies' wine bar in Chislehurst
Summing it all up: He was chef and eventually CEO of Gordon Ramsay's restaurants and now Stuart Gillies is opening his own place. It's a wine bar that's taking over a Victorian building (that used to be a bank) on Chislehurst High Street.
The low-down
He's the former CEO of Gordon Ramsay's restaurant group and now Stuart Gillies is going it alone with his new opening, Bank House Wine Bar and Kitchen in Chislehurst.
It's taken over what used to be a NatWest bank - a Victorian brownstone on the Chislehurst High Street. They're completely remodelling the building, while still retaining its Victorian features. However, a small part of the bank does remain - that's become a handy space for the wine room.
The main wine bar itself will be across two floors - the ground floor going for a casual approach, with upstairs having a little more of a cocktail bar vibe and will have an open fireplace (handy this winter). Many of the wines will be served up in a wine keg system - which is going to allow them to serve a range of organic wines by tap. And there will be craft beer and cocktails, of course. That's all being put together by Angelika Oparczyk who was previously a sommelier and wine manager for Gordon Ramsay Restaurants.
As for the food, it'll be European small plates with a daily changing seasonal menu - with the emphasis that this is a wine bar, but also a restaurant. Head chef Bobby Brown, previously of Bread Street Kitchen and The Kentish Hare will serve up dishes including:
- Grilled scallops, black butter & garlic
- Crab salad, brown crab dressing & pickled cucumber
- Fried Buttermilk Chicken, Habanero and lime salsa.
As Gillies explained to Hot Dinners: "I was a chef for 30 years, then ran a huge company successfully for many years for Gordon, but that's a very different role. I've loved getting back to the core stuff that I've always loved. Close to the team, close to the grassroots, creating new things that are really adding value. I'm loving that journey, I have to say."
More about Bank House Wine Bar and Kitchen
Where is it? 11 High St, Chislehurst BR7 5AF
When does it open? 6 September 2019
Find out more: Follow them on Twitter @bankhousebr7 and Instagram @bankhousebr7.
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