Two generations from a family of London restaurant ‘royalty’ have combined forces for the first time, to open a dining pub in North Kensington that launches next week.
Jon Spiteri (second from left in picture), a veteran general manager best known as co-founder of St John, and Melanie Arnold (second from right), co-founder of Rochelle Canteen, are joined by their sons Lorcan (left) and Fin (right), who ran Regent’s Canal floating restaurant Caravel for five years, and daughter Molly (centre), business development lead at Koya.
They have taken over a classic Victorian pub in Latimer Road once called the British Volunteer, naming it The Latimer. Best known as Ariadne’s Nectar Bar, a watering-hole frequented by members of the Clash and Blur, it had its licence revoked following noise complaints in 2020 and there were concerns it would be converted to residential use.
Chef Lorcan and Fin, who is in charge of the drinks, ran Caravel and its nearby sister venue Studio Kitchen for five years before leaving in November. Lorcan’s spring menu for The Latimer includes starters of grilled asparagus or confit trout; mains of artichoke linguini, grilled bream, oxtail or venison haunch; and puddings of amaretti rhubarb crumble or dark chocolate mousse with strawberries.
