The former Launceston Place head chef has returned to the London dining scene with the opening of 74 Charlotte Street by Ben Murphy, on the site previously occupied by Monica Galetti’s Mere in Fitzrovia.
Ben said he had “waited my whole career” to announce the first restaurant with his name over the door. “We’ve built something we believe in, a restaurant accessible to all and something we can’t wait to share. This is my new home and I’m so excited to welcome you all.“
Having trained under Pierre Koffmann at the Berkeley, Ben came to prominence with a seven-year stint at Launceston Place in Kensington, which was owned by D&D (London – now known as Evolv) and closed down when he left a year ago.
The new restaurant is part of Alastair Storey’s WSH group, which also owns the Woodspeen and the Boxford near Newbury and the Clockspire in Sherborne. Its most recent opening, last year’s The Braywood in Paley Street, is extremely well rated in the soon-to-be-published 2026 Harden’s guide.
Ben is promising “modern, trend-forward food” at 74 Charlotte Street, with menus that start at £35 for 2 courses at lunch and early evening, ranging via a la carte to various tasting-menu options.
