11/2/22 - Updated with details of the restaurant
The food at London's galleries is starting to get very interesting indeed. We've already had Jose Pizarro taking over at the RA and next up are South Kensington's Muriel's Kitchen who are going to be responsible for the food at the National Gallery.
Run by Charlotte and Sam Miller, they'll be following a similar approach to Jose, taking over all the food in the gallery, So they'll launch a new restaurant, a café and an espresso bar. The cafe is going to be the closest in vibe to their South Ken original, and the new restaurant will also have its own entrance - so it can work outside of gallery times (and be open to non-gallery visitors).
The restaurant will be called Ochre, taking over a space in the 20th Century William Wilkins building and we're told it will use " seasonal British ingredients, blending international flavours and modern European cooking". Not only that but they'll have a cocktail bar, private dining room and a DJ booth too. Not your traditional gallery restaurant then.
Taking the helm here is executive chef Alex Drayton (previously Texture and 28-50) and sustainability will be a big focus. Planned for the menu are:
- Soused Cornish Mackerel & Sea Lettuce Tacos
- London Burrata with pickled girolles, English peas, hazelnuts, Alresford watercress, winter black truffe
- Hen of the Woods wild garlic puree, sourdough ‘croutons’, thyme cress
- Saffron Pappardelle - Indian spiced ricotta, mint pesto, pickled shallot, aged parmesan & crispy chili
- Saddleback Suckling Pork Belly with celeriac purée, pork consomme
We're also told you'll be able to pop up at the bar and have a martini and half a dozen oysters, so it does sound very promising. They'll be serving afternoon tea and brunch will come with a live band as an accompaniment. We're also intrigued by the bespoke trolley they're having made for the cheese course.
It definitely sounds promising and we'll have a look at the design closer to the opening date.
More about Muriel's Kitchen at the National Gallery
Where is it? National Gallery, Trafalgar Square, London WC2N 5DN
When does it open? 4 April 2022
Find out more: Visit their website or follow them on Instagram @ochre.london.
Subscribe to be the first to get the news from Hot Dinners
