Three-Michelin-starred French chef Daniel Boulud is set to come to London and will open a restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental hotel in Knightsbridge next spring.
The move, which was first reported by Caterer’s restaurant blog Guide Girl in June, follows the announcement of fellow three-Michelin-starred chef Heston Blumenthal opening his first London restaurant at the hotel next autumn.
Boulud will launch French restaurant Bar Boulud in the space of the former Grill restaurant of the luxury hotel. It will be modeled on the Bar Boulud in New York and will offer a French bistro menu with signature terrines and pâtés made on site under the direction of acclaimed charcutier Gilles Verot.
Located at street level with a separate entrance, the 165-seat restaurant’s interiors will be developed by renowned designer Adam Tihany and will feature contemporary references to French wine making culture.
Interiors will include a bar lounge, red leather banquettes and chairs, a bar topped in zinc with a cork panel coating and an open kitchen as the focal point of the main dining space. There will also be a charcuterie bar featuring a glass counter displaying the restaurant’s signature terrines and a selection of cheeses.
Boulud said the opportunity to open a restaurant in London had been “irresistible”.
“As a French Chef who has made New York City my home for over 25 years, I have my own cross cultural approach,” he said.
“Bar Boulud was first conceived for New York City. This new restaurant will have New York’s energy and spirit, a little French soul and tradition - and - a touch of London style.”
David Nicholls, corporate director of food beverage at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, added: “Boulud is one of those rare chefs who is every bit as attentive to ambiance, comfort and value as he is to the quality of his cooking. Bar Boulud will introduce an exciting new concept to the London dining scene.”
Lyon-born Boulud trained in France under legendary chefs Roger Vergé, Georges Blanc and Michel Guérard. He moved to the USA in 1982 and shot to fame a decade later when he opened Daniel, his first and most celebrated restaurant, which last month gained the top accolade of three Michelin-stars.
His management company, the Dinex Group, comprises five restaurants and Feast & Fêtes Catering. The restaurants are Café Boulud, DB Bistro Moderne and Bar Boulud in New York City. He has also created Café Boulud in Palm Beach and the Michelin-starred Daniel Boulud Brasserie in Las Vegas and will open a restaurant at the luxury Marina Bay Sands resort in Shanghai next year.
Daniel Boulud’s flagship New York restaurant gains three Michelin stars >>
Michelin-starred chef Daniel Boulud set to open restaurant In London >>
Heston Blumenthal restaurant will open in London Mandarin Oriental >>
By Kerstin Kühn
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