Alex Grant and Simon Shand, former members of the team at Shoreditch bistro Leroy, which closed down last year, have joined forces to open a new restaurant on the same corner site.
Duchy takes its name – and its gastronomic cues – from the Duchy of Savoy, the historical borderland between the south of France and northwest Italy. It will also serve ‘world class’ wines from the region, as well as a grappa selection, spritzes and cocktails.
Leroy ran for seven years on the site, winning favourable reports in the Harden’s guide as a “cracking spot” with a “buzzing atmosphere” and “affordable and interesting small plates”.
Alex remembers it as “some kind of perfect storm – serious and small, fast and loose, wildly busy, loud at times but wonderfully so… And I hope, with chance on our side, we can do the ghosts justice.”
Chef Simon, who has also worked at Arbutus, Wild Honey and Frenchie, has drawn up a menu of dishes including Pork shoulder and smoked eel croquettes; Brown crab arancini; Anchovies with lardo on marjoram toast; Dover sole with Grenobloise sauce; Côte de boeuf; Red mullet with beurre blanc sauce; Latte fritto with vanilla gelato and cannoli with sweetened ricotta cheese.
Duchy opens on Friday 9 May.
