She was the City's original superwoman - the mother of six who also held down one of the financial world's top paying jobs. Now Nicola Horlick is turning to food and opening a cafe/restaurant in leafy Barnes village. So city slicker turned restaurateur - not much new in that you may be thinking - but Nicola's venture sounds worthy of a closer look, namely because she's got top London chef Adam Byatt on board as a partner.
Georgina's, named after Horlick's daughter who died of leukemia, will be a laid-back cafe during the day and a smarter restaurant destination by night. The kitchens will be run by head chef Greig Hunter who not only spent three years helping Byatt develop his multi award-winning Clapham restaurant Trinity, but also worked as home economist for Adam's books.
Food wise - there'll be a deli counter for salads, cakes and sarnies (eat in or take away) and then dishes in the evening will include grilled sea-bream with harissa and toasted cous cous and warm beetroot salad with nuts and apple vinegar or grilled fish and chargrilled meats from the purpose built BBQ.
Style wise, the place is apparently inspired by the look and feel of Ottolenghi, The Modern Pantry in Clerkenwell and design details from the Viceroy Hotel Santa Monica - one of Horlick's personal favourites.
A look at the restaurant website suggest that the Barnes opening is the first in a rollout, with other Georgina's planned for South London and the Home Counties.
Georgina's will open on 14 May 2012 at 56 Barnes High Street, SW13.
