Kit Chapman launches Castle Bow Bar & Grill
Kit Chapman is opening a new restaurant at the Castle hotel in Taunton, Somerset, this week, called the Castle Bow Bar & Grill.
The new restaurant will have its own street entrance on Castle Bow, the street that connects the town centre with Castle Green. The new restaurant will seat 40 and appear to passers-by as a stand-alone restaurant.
It will be located next to Brazz, the Castle's town centre brasserie, while the old dining room, accessible only via the 44-bedroom hotel's main hall, will continue to be used for events and functions.
The Castle Bow Bar & Grill is being headed up by chef Liam Finnegan, who previously worked with Michael Caines at Gidleigh Park and the Bath Priory. Director and co-proprietor is Kit's son, Dominic Chapman, of the Michelin-starred Royal Oak at Payley Street in Bray.
Former head chef of the Castle, Jamie Raftery, who joined the hotel in November 2010, left the property last week. Although unconfirmed, it is believed that he is going to work in the USA.
The seasonal menu will be ingredient driven, with typical dishes such as diver-caught Brixham scallops with English peas, bacon and sorrel vinaigrette or roast Devonshire duck breast with creamed cabbage, apple sauce and roasting juices. The average spend will be £30.
Front of house will be overseen by Grill manager Dean Sharland and the Castle's general manager, Marc Mac Closkey.
The traditional formality of the old dining room will be replaced by retro-chic which aims to be informal, relaxed, comfortable and stylish, with an art deco feel to it.
Kit Chapman commented: "Above all, our new Grill is going to be fun, with terrific food everyone will love - and, importantly, at an affordable price."
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By Kerstin Kühn
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