Big Easy arrives in Covent Garden – Ribble Valley Inns re-opens The Clog and Billycock – Arc Inspirations digs Pit in Chapel Allerton – The Terrace by Absolute Taste launches in Fenwick, Tunbridge Wells.
Overview
Big Easy arrives in Covent Garden
Ribble Valley Inns re-opens The Clog and Billycock
Arc Inspirations digs Pit in Chapel Allerton
The Terrace by Absolute Taste launches in Fenwick, Tunbridge Wells
Big Easy arrives in Covent Garden
London’s Chelsea institution, Big Easy Bar.B.Q & Crabshack will open a new restaurant in Maiden Lane in February 2014. Taking inspiration from its King’s Road sibling it will offer a serious evolution of the beloved ‘crabshack’ in a more urban West End setting. The new venue will provide the most authentic, American fresh-smoked Bar.B.Q, seafood, cocktail and drinks offer in the UK.
In the kitchen will be the King of Bar.B.Q, executive chef Kenny Callaghan. Kenny’s reputation in the Bar.B.Q world precedes him but he is best known as the former chef partner of legendary New York restaurant ‘Blue Smoke’. Taking the coveted and key role of Pit Master will be Pete Daversa, former pit master at Hill Country Barbeque Market in New York. Pete has also worked at Blue Smoke BBQ (NYC and opened in Hong Kong). Big Easy Founder, Paul Corrett’s design vision has been overseen by industry heavyweights Macaulay Sinclair.
The interior will honour the building’s original heritage, retaining many authentic features, such as copper conduits, brickwork, and steel and concrete girders, complemented by industrial lighting. Exposed timber beams and lots of Big Easy appeal – neon lobsters, Americana and nautical touches will add to the charm – set over three floors and 10,000 sq ft, forming an awe-inspiring space.
A central feature will be the striking nine metre theatre-style kitchen situated on the lower ground floor. Focus will be on a ‘wall of fire’, comprising two, 2.5 metre Argentinean-style parilla charcoal grills as well as a two-metre rotisserie spit that will roast whole hogs, and a huge 2.5 metre wood burning oven. A dedicated Bar.B.Q pit area will house two, 1.5 tonne J&R wood burning smokers imported from Texas where meats will all be freshly smoked on the premises using a variety of woods, including Oak, Hickory, Apple and Cherry, for up to 18 hours to impart their unique flavours.
Big Easy Covent Garden, 12 Maiden Lane, London
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Ribble Valley Inns re-opens The Clog and Billycock
The Clog and Billycock, Pleasington, Blackburn has re-opened following a £250,000 refurbishment and is now being led by Carolyn Richards (General Manager) and Matthew Castelli (Head Chef).
Matthew, Head Chef has been in the industry for nearly 20 years and comes to The Clog and Billycock from The Bear’s Paw Inn, Warmingham. During his career he has also worked at The Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill, Newcastle and The Marco Pierre White at the Swan, Aughton.
Nigel Haworth, Chef Patron of Ribble Valley Inns, has worked closely with Matthew to develop a new menu that has the usual Ribble Valley Inn favourites and a few new twists. However the emphasis remains on using the finest regional produce from as many artisan suppliers as possible.
Commenting on the menu, Chef Patron, Nigel Haworth, “I have continued to champion seasonal local produce which is so readily on our doorstep. The classic dishes such as our award-winning ‘Lancashire Hotpot’ and ‘Cheese and Onion Pie’ are still firmly on the menu, but I wanted to spice things up a bit!”
The new décor and interior has been inspired by the beautiful countryside and history of the area. Wall lights have been created using old weaving shuttles; traditionally used in the Lancashire textiles mills and lamps have been made out of shoe stretchers used by traditional cobblers. The original portraits of local suppliers located around the pub are now joined by some modern custom designed artwork on the walls. Nicholas Saunders a North West artist has captured elements of the history of Blackburn and the pub, previously known as The Bay Horse.
The Clog and Billycock, Billinge End Road, Pleasington, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 6QB
For more information click here
Arc Inspirations digs Pit in Chapel Allerton
Bar company Arc Inspirations has dug deep in Chapel Allerton, North Leeds, and transformed one of their bars, the Hub on Stainbeck Lane, into their latest very successful concept ‘The Pit’ , increasing its floor space by two thirds by tunnelling behind the adjoining unit.
The interior is state of the art ‘urban’ in style, but the atmosphere is informal and friendly, and the perfect venue in which sports fans can relax and enjoy the best of sport on 10 new HD plasma screens. The team at Arc Inspirations has also brought in a French national treasure – a handmade ‘Babyfoot’ table – a customised football table, built lovingly by French craftsmen in Paris so each one is unique.
John Richold, Arc Inspirations’ executive chef has put together a menu of Pit classics such as steaks, lobster, burgers, ribs and wings and is rolling out his imported Sally, his Oklahoma hand built smoker which is The MAC truck of cooking. She cooks low and slow over his unique blend of imported American hardwoods allowing flavour and textures to evolve, juices to flow and smoky notes to penetrate. Not forgetting Cindy, his wood fired char broiler
The Pit, 8b Stainbeck Lane, Chapel Allerton, Leeds, LS7 3QY
For more information click here
The Terrace by Absolute Taste launches in Fenwick, Tunbridge Wells
Leading bespoke catering and events company Absolute Taste has launched The Terrace, a new restaurant located within the prestigious department store Fenwick, Tunbridge Wells. Absolute Taste managing director Lyndy Redding and her team have worked closely with Fenwick to create a selection of menus showcasing a contemporary British menu of beautiful and locally sourced produce offering breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea daily.
The Terrace also offers a “Little People’s Menu” with a selection of small versions of classic British favourites such as: miniature pork sausages and mash; and grilled chicken with new potatoes and seasonal vegetables.
Lyndy Redding, founder of Absolute Taste, comments: “I am very excited to be launching our own branded restaurant, especially within such a renowned venue as Fenwick. We are dedicated to serving the most delicious food available, and this is what we intend to do here. I am extremely proud of the ethos of Absolute Taste, and the team have worked incredibly hard to make this happen.”
Fenwick Tunbridge Wells, Royal Victoria Place, Tunbridge wells, Kent TN1 2SR
For more information about Absolute Taste click here
For more information about Fenwick click here