[Updated 23/8/12 with opening date details]
James Knappett - former Sous Chef at The Ledbury - is on the verge of opening his own restaurant with wife Sandia Chang, (who's currently sommelier at Roganic) on Charlotte Street. Bubbledogs will open on August 29.
The new place on Charlotte Street will be a restaurant of two halves - there'll be Bubbledogs at the front - serving up brilliant hot dogs alongside Grower champagne and other sparkling wines. The menu will run to ten hot dogs served on traditional steamed buns, including the BLT dog, wrapped in bacon and served with truffle mayo and caramelized lettuce; the Jose dog with guacamole, sour cream, salsa and jalapenos, and a regularly changing guest chef’s special. Prices will start at £6. And there'll be a short menu of sides, including Tater Tots (faints with delight).
And then down a few steps at the back will be Kitchen Table - which sounds very much like the concept of Brooklyn Fare or Degustation in NYC. This is where Knappett will "host intimate lunches and dinners with a maximum of 19 guests seated directly around his kitchen.
Knappett, whose CV includes Noma and Per Se (he helped Thomas Keller bring the French Laundry to Harrods earlier this year) will prepare, serve and talk through his dishes with diners. The Lunchtime menu will be either three set courses for £29 or a £65 tasting menu. The evening dinner menu will be £80. Sample dishes include: Beetroot, fennel and garlic scapes; Chicken skin, grilled onion and burrata milk; Beef, dead nettle and carrot; and Hay, strawberry, malt and sweet cicely.
And while Bubbledogs will continue London's trend of being walk-ins only (except for tables of six or more), Kitchen Table will be reservations only.
For more details on both restaurants read our exclusive interview with James
Bubbledogs opens August 29 and Kitchen Table opens September 18 2012, both at 70 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QG. Reservations open on August 28 on 020 7637 7770.
