A theatrical live-fire restaurant with an open kitchen launched in Spitalfields this week, a few minutes’ walk from Liverpool Street station – a first dining venue from publican and music festival entrepreneur Rob Star of Electric Star pubs.
Firestarter shares an entrance on Middlesex Street with its stablemate The Star by Liverpool Street pub/bar next door, and features counter seating for up to 10 guests with a further 50 seats in the dining room.
Rob says: “We know we’re playing with fire opening a new restaurant in London right now, but that’s what hospitality is all about, taking risks to create something people genuinely want to experience.
“After years of running pubs and festivals, I wanted to create something where the food takes centre stage. Firestarter is a space where the food is serious, but the atmosphere will be relaxed, where you can have a proper feast with a bunch of friends without all the fuss.”
Highlights on the menu from head chef Leon Seraphim include 35-day aged bavette; Smoked spatchcock poussin with gochujang chilli crack glaze; Za’atar lamb chops with mint chimichurri; and Cauliflower with black garlic miso glaze, yuzu soy yoghurt and white miso breadcrumb – all fire-grilled.
Signature cocktails designed to match the fire-forward menu, include Smoke & Mirrors (mezcal & bourbon with pineapple & flamed orange); White Hot Negroni (gin with jalapeño heat & grapefruit); and The Flame Game (a take on a margarita with chipotle-agave and a paprika-cayenne rim).
