We bring you sad news today as the hugely popular return of Stevie Parle to Portobello Dock has played out, it seems. Posting on Instagram last night Parle revealed that his popup restaurant Joy would be closing at the end of this month. And not by choice.
"Sadly, despite our best endeavours and contrary to our expectations we were not given an opportunity to sign a long lease," revealed Parle, "and we have lost the site to a West London based street food/pub/club operator. I don’t know what they’re planning for it but I do wish them luck.
"We’ve loved being here and are so grateful for the support and love we have received through all the crazy times and crazy things we have done. It’s been a huge privilege to be the place where so many of you chose to meet friends and family you hadn’t seen for months."
There's no word yet on who that new leaseholder is, but it seems extraordinarily short sighted of the landlord to choose someone else to run the site, given how long this space lay empty between Parle shutting up the original Dock Kitchen back in 2017 and returning with Joy last year. A sign - however unwelcome - that London is returning to normal.
On the upside, the chef/restaurateur revealed that he is hoping to find a new home for Joy - if he can find the right sort of place. "We’re on the hunt for a permanent space in the neighbourhood," Parle says, "but it’s hard to find somewhere like Portobello Dock." But, for now, you should try and book a table as soon as you can if you want to go one more time before it closes for good.
More about Joy
Where is it? Portobello Docks, 342-344 Ladbroke Grove, London W10 5BU
When does it close? 30 June 2021
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @joy_at_portobello.
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