Big news comes from chef Patrick Powell today - he's announced that he's leaving both Allegra and Midland Grand Dining Room. Both were projects with hotelier Harry Handlesman, who first partnered with Powell seven years ago to open Allegra in Stratford.
Allegra has always been highly rated, although it never managed to get the chef the Michelin star he deserved. Powell also kicked off the original menu for Booking Office 1869 before taking on the main restaurant at the St Pancras Renaissance, once again launching an extremely well-reviewed restaurant there, Midland Grand Dining Room, as well as one of the best bars in the King's Cross area. Powell has already left Midland Grand while his last Allegra service is on Sunday 14 July.
Powell says; "The time has come for me to move on and I am hugely excited for the future and my next chapter" which means that he has something else in the offing. A standalone smaller restaurant space may be just what the chef needs to grab that so-far-elusive star, but who knows what's planned? We'll update you as soon as we know more.
Follow Patrick Powell on Instagram @ppowellchef.
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