Diners disappointed at the recent news that Nest restaurant is to close after nine years will be cheered to learn that its owners plan to relaunch the Shoreditch venue as a ‘British bistro’ called Tavern.
It will offer what they describe as “generous, nostalgic British cooking designed for more informal dining”, with sharing plates accompanied by classic cocktails and – as suggested by the name – beer on tap.
Founders Johnnie Crowe, Luke Wasserman and Toby Neill used Nest as the springboard to launch the gastronomically ambitious and highly rated Restaurant St Barts, close to Smithfield Market.
Johnnie says: “Nest has been a hugely important part of our story for nearly a decade. We are incredibly proud of what it became, first in Hackney and then in Shoreditch. Tavern is about taking everything we believe in about British produce and translating it into a fun way of eating that we all personally love.”
Johnny (right in picture) will oversee the kitchen at Tavern along with executive chef Brendan Appleby (centre) and head chef Kirsty Easterbrook (left), previously head and sous chef at St Barts. The menu centres on British dishes, with snacks such as puffed pig skin with smoked cod’s roe and lamb scrumpets with mint, and larger dishes including turbot with English sparkling wine sauce and lamb or hogget with anchovy and gem lettuce.
Nest will run its final service on Saturday 28 March, with Tavern opening a month later on Tuesday 28 April.
